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KING SAINT OLAF 



A Drama in Five Acts 



GUSTAV MELBY 




IjrXyiqgv^pj^ 



BOSTON 

RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 



Copyright, 1916, by Gustav Melby 



All Rights Reserved 






,25^ 



SEP 18 1916 



The Gorham Prebs, Boston, U. S. A. 



^GI.D 44913 



To My Friend 
Hon. D. a. McLarty 



DRAMATIS PERSONtE 

O'LAF, King of Norway. 

AsTRiDj Queen of Norway. 

MagnuSj Olaf's son and heir-apparent. 

IngegerDj Princess of Sweden and Queen of Russia. 

Jarisleiv^ King of Russia. 

RoREK^ petty King of Hedemarken. 

Finn Little^ his servant. 

Thore Hund, 

Kalf Arneson^ 

Haarek of Tjotta, y Chiefs. 

Olve of Egge^ I 

Bjorn Stallare^ J 

Bishop Sigurd. 

SiGRiD^ wife of Olve. 

Ulvhild^ Olafs stepdaughter. 

SlGVAT^ King Olafs Skald. 

Thorkeld^ a peasant. 

Grim^ his son. 

King's Steward. 

Warriors. 

Servants. 

A Boy. 

Peasants. 

A Priest. 

Trolls. 

A Page. 

Attendants. 

Women and Children. 

The scenes are laid at different places in Norway , 
and at the court of Russia, during the early part of 
the nth century. 



KING SAINT OLAF 



ACT I 

A lawn. In the background trees partly hiding a 
chapel. To the right a large hall with porch. In the 
foreground^ to the left, a fir-tree, at the foot of which 
stands a rustic bench, 

SCENE I 

{Finn Little comes in from, the right, pursued by 
Rorek, who vehemently brandishes his staff, appar- 
ently attempting to strike Finn.) 

Rorek 

Thou bleareyed dwarf, thou miserable imp! 
How doth my rod desire to flay thy back! 
Come here, and I will break thy lustful bones, 
So ne'er again thy legs shall run before a king! 

{Finn dodges behind the fir-tree in the fore-ground.) 
{Several men appear on the porch, laughing at 
Rorek.) 

First Man 

To-night he is himself again, full soon 
The king another servant him must grant. 

7 



KING SAINT OLAF 



Second Man 

But, well for Finn if he the fate avoids 
Which fell to Svein, poor fellow, now exiled. 

ROREK 

Thou speakest well — "poor fellow" — he indeed. 
First word of sympathy methink I've heard 
From any one of Olaf's Christian men. 

Seco^jd Man 

But what of thee — where is thy kindness, Sir, 
To scold and beat each servant granted thee ? 

ROREK 

Away with you! Dare ye reproach a king? 
I'll crush your skulls if straightway ye don't hie! 
{They flee from him into the hall.) 

(Rorek comes slowly towards the tree where Finn 
stands and in a low voice says to him:) 
My boy, dear Finn, where art thou? 

Finn 

Here, my lord. 
Come sit thee here, beneath this old fir-tree. 
{He assists him to th^ bench.) 

RoREK {laughing) 

Thus have I played a ruse once more, for none 
Of all the court our friendship must suspect, 



ACT I 

Until our day hath come, and I am free, 
And thou shalt share my wealth and liberty. 
O, thou good Finn, must help me to revenge 
The crime that brute committed against me, 
When he destroyed my sight, the light of life, 
For here as captive in the dark to grope. 

Finn 
Sir, tell me all, hovr did it come to pass? 

ROREK 

I thought the gruesome tale w^as known to all. 

Finn 
I've heard it. Sir, but never from thy lips. 

RoREK 

Since thou wouldst hear it, listen now and learn, 
What manner of a ruler Norway hath; 
List, till within thy heart a fire doth burn. 
The fire of hatred which can ne'er be quenched. 
Until this outrage shall have been revenged. 
It was last autumn, that five Upland kings. 
At Hedemarken met in league to plan 
A safeguard 'gainst King Olaf and his hosts, 
Who scoured the country, laying waste its homes 
By fire and plunder, maiming, murdering, 
And spreading terror everywhere, because 
Some to the White Christ failed to swear 



lo KING SAINT OLAF 

Allegiance readily. We spent two days 

In consultation, sent out men as spies, 

Who brought us tidings daily of the course 

Which Olaf took; at last we did agree 

That each should raise an army of his own, 

And join them in a battle 'gainst the king. 

It is a truth that seldom any man 

Hath enemies, except a friend also 

He hath among them, ready him to aid; 

And such a one was Ketil Ringaness, 

Who during night in stealthy manner left. 

Set sail, with forty men, and in the morn 

Struck shore at Eid, just as from early mass 

King Olaf came, and did to him betray 

Our secret plan ; the king did not delay 

To gather nearly half a thousand men; 

With these, ere yet another day arose. 

He us encircled while in bed, asleep, 

So quickly, that not ev'n the watchmen knew 

What happened, till they were by him entrapped; 

Thus we were captured, and at break of day. 

Before the king were brought, O, day of woe! 

Three of the kings he caused to swear an oath 

To leave the land for never to return ; 

The fourth. King Gadred, then was bound. 

His mouth pried open, and his tongue cut ofif. 

Full many of our vassals, too, were maimed 

On hands or feet, disabled thus for life; 

But when my eyes had seen this butchery. 

The king said: "Rorek, thou shalt be with me. 

For thou hast cunning, and thy words are wise, 

But ne'er again shall they advise my foe." 

Then bid he one to take a knife and pierce 

My eyes; the blood did flow instead of tears, 



ACT I n 

Though bitter they did well within my heart, 
For I should never see again the land 
I fondly love, its mountains, dales and fjords, 
Nor look upon my hearth and those who sit 
Around it, dear ones, waiting for my steps. 
This fount of grief is still within my soul. 
But near it is a fire which daily grows 
In strength, the all consuming fire of hate 
Towards him — that oxenbellied tyrant who 
Hath made me, like a slave, sit at his board ; 
But worst of all, his cruelties have cowed 
My kinsmen and my people; no one dares 
To rise against him; soon in abject fear 
The country's heroes will be ruled, the ^ods 
Be driven from the land, and Christ enthroned 
In every place; 'tis he and Olaf who 
Will govern Norway; Ragnarok hath come 
To all the gods, and judgment on the kings. 
And all the free-born thanes of Norway's land. 

Finn 

{Arising from his seat in agitation.) 

I swear by Odin and Valhalla's gods, 

To use my strength and time to plot and work 

Against the man who wronged thee overmuch. 

ROREK 

Hush! hush! my friend, remember that thy strength 

Is small; but since it pleaseth me to see 

Thy fieriness enkindled by my speech, 

List Finn, draw closer, thou cans't do thy best 



12 KING SAINT OLAF 

For all by aiding me to flee from here; 

Wilt thou do this, then shall my hand some d<".y 

Reward thee richly both with gold and arms. 

Finn 

Reward enough for me to rescue thee, 

King of my people, from thy enemy; 

And I will trust thy schemes, for thou art wise. 

And quickly bring it into daring deed. 

ROREK 

{Draws a dagger, hidden under his cloak.) 
Feel this; 'tis long and sharp, a thrust or two 
Of this would surely be the tyrant's bane, — 
But also bring on me the fatal blow. 

{He hides it.) 
Hark then, and I will tell thee of my plan: 
Get thee to Sigurd Hit, my ensign true. 
This very eve, for thou art fleet of foot, 
And say, his lord doth bid him bring a ship, 
All manned in readiness for him this night. 
Then shalt thou come and fetch a pail of mead 
Well seasoned with the bitter herb which sleep 
Gives to the drinker, and this shalt thou serve 
To all the king's men in his hall to-night; 
Then while in heaviness they drowse and sleep, 
I'll urge the guard, the king hath placed o'er me. 
To take me outside of necessity ; 
Then shall Hit's men undo the sleepy watch. 
And we will run and in our ship escape; 
But hie thee straightway; understandest thou? 



ACT I 13 

Finn 

Indeed my lord; — but list, here comes the king! 

ROREK 

(Swinging his staff wildly.) 
Brat, bowlegs, snaketail, get thee hence, I say! 

SCENE 2 
(Enter King Olaf and attendants.) 
Olaf 

Ha! ha! Friend Rorek out of sorts again. 
Finn, canst thou please him not a single whit ? 

Finn 

O King, he seems impossible to-night. 

Olaf 

Thou mayst go now^ I have a word to speak 
With him alone. 

(Exit Finn.) 

Friend Rorek, how art thou? 

Rorek 
Hm! 



14 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 

Rorek, thou hast much sagacity, 

And could I trust thy friendship and thy word, 

I would — 

Rorek 

(Angry.) 
Thou wouldst my sight restore, I ween. 

Olaf 

I would make thee my foremost counsellor. 
As for thy sight, 'tis well for thee to learn 
To use the inner eye of faith. 
Which may the true and living God discern ; 
Too often did thy eyes of flesh behold 
The horrid idols and their wicked rites. 

Rorek 

And wouldst thou teach me how the Christ to sec 

Olaf 

In baptism He will be known to thee; 
Arise, King Rorek, wash thy sins away. 
And then begins thy new, thy Christian life. 

Rorek 

Not much I understand about thy Christ, 
Who may have been a God, as many say 



ACT I 15 

For I believe that in the olden time 

Strange things did happen which we know not now. 

{The chapel-bell rings.) 

(Olaf kneels with his face toward the church.) 

Olaf 

It is the bell which calls to evening-pray'r, 
Come Rorek, kneel with me and worship God. 

(Rorek kneels beside him; in so doing he passes 
his hand over the king's shoulder, ascertaining that he 
is not clad in a coat of mail, but in a silken robe. 
While the king prays, Rorek finds his dagger, and as 
they are about to arise, he thrusts it after him. It 
pierces the folds of the king's robe, and before Rorek 
has time to make a second thrust. King Olaf is out 
of his reach. Rorek is immediately seized by the 
king's attendants. The door of the chapel is opened, 
and the bishop and acolytes come to escort the kinf 
to mass.) 

SCENE 3 

The former. Bishop Sigurd and acolytes. 

Olaf 

Most treacherous attempt to murder me, 
And if I justice should mete out to thee, 
Sly fox, this eve would be thy last on earth. 
Several attendants. 

Let us but take him! 
Other attendants. 

Hang him by the neck! 



i6 KING SAINT OLAF 

Bishop Sigurd 

My lord owes to himself his life to shield, 
And lest this villain shall thy bane become, 
And thereby cast the greatest woe upon 
The cause of Christendom in this thy realm. 
He should be without much delay undone. 

Olaf 

It is a truth that many men for less 
Offence than this have suffered speedy death. 
And possibly to punishment extreme 
He may compel me, but I'm loath to mar 
The splendid victory I gained o'er those 
Five Upland kings without the death of one; 
So I will spare his life this time also, 
But soon he must to far off Iceland go. 
Whence he shall ne'er return to menace me. 
Meanwhile you men whom I did once appoint 
To guard him, I command that ye with care 
Do watch him constantly both day and night! 

ROREK 

{Mockingly.) 
Both day and night, though there's but night for me. 
{Olaf motions his men to escort Rorek into the Hall.) 

{Exit guard.) 

scj;ne 4 
The King, Bishop, acolytes, and attendants. 



ACT I 17 

Sigurd 

TE DEUM we shall sing to-night, since God 

Hath thee preserved O King, and put to shame 

Thy enemy on whom His punishment 

Must surely fall ; He hath appointed thee 

To be a rod within His holy hand 

To chastise all who worship stock and stone. 

Until to Him they shall true service yield. 

Olaf 

My Father, shepherd of my soul, let me 
Confess a thought which sometimes burden me, 
The thought that I perhaps unwisely deal, 
And cruelly with my benighted land. 
That I am but inciting a great hate 
Against the holy church and 'gainst myself. 

Sigurd 

Give ear my lord to this one parable: 
A peasant dwelt within the forest wild, 
Where he his bow and spear knew how to wield, 
For bears and wolves and deer abounded there; 
But then one day he journeyed far away, 
To foreign countries, where he saw the fields 
Of golden grain, and orchards rich in fruit; 
Then did a strong desire possess his soul, 
To change his forest-soil into such fields. 
Much did he learn about the tiller's work. 
Did purchase seed corn, and obtained as gifts 
Both roots and pips and kernels for to plant. 



i8 KING SAINT OLAF 

Returning home, the forest greeted him, 

With its accustomed music deep and wild. 

And he did love it, he a forester, 

Quite ruing that he ever should have planned 

To fell such lofty trees, his native friends; 

But then a duty new did urge him on ; 

The seed seemed calling for a plot of ground, 

And so, ere long, the forest did resound 

With stroke of axe and crash of falling trees. 

Until a gap appeared among the crowns 

Through which the sunshine kissed the mossy earth; 

The stumps uprooted were, the stones removed, 

Prepared the virgin soil was for the seed, 

Which grew and yielded harvest many fold; 

And year by year this field was larger made, 

By felling trees and digging stubborn roots. 

Thus thou, O king, didst go to distant shores; 

In England didst thou view the fields of God 

Unto the harvest ripe, and there thy heart 

Was filled with a divine desire to see 

The Gospel planted in thy native land ; 

But well thou knowest that this soil must be 

Prepared by cutting down and rooting up 

The strongholds of its dark idolatry. 

The axe must to the tree be firmly laid, 

The fire consume the dead and barren limbs, 

Christ's kingdom planted amid pain and death 

Of all its enemies, — then it will come. 

No scruples shouldst thou have; the sacred book 

Doth teach us that in olden times God's wrath 

Fell on the sons of disobedience. 

Remember Moses, how he caused to slay 

Three thousand men, because a golden calf 

Had worshiped been by faithless Israel ; 



ACT I 19 

How every Levite, with his sword in hand, 

Went through the camp from gate to gate, 

And smote without regard a neighbor, or 

A fellow, yea, a very brother, for 

The anger of the Lord was upon them. 

Remember, too, Elijah, how he stood 

On Carmel's top, a lonely man of God, 

Surrounded by the priests of Baal, the king 

And all the host of idol-worshipers. 

How he, when fire had fallen from the heavens, 

Consuming altar and its sacrifice, 

In token of Jehovah he is God, 

Took all the priests of Baal down to the brook, 

To Kishon, where he caused them to be slain. 

Four hundred fifty prophets in a day. 

My king is merciful, compared to these 

Great men of old, who did the will of God. 

Such acts were needful then, and are to-day. 

If truth and righteousness shall here prevail. 

Olaf 

I thank thee. Bishop Sigurd, for thy words, 
Assuring me that all my course is right ; 
With faith in Grod and self. We victory 
Shall win o'er even the fiercest enemy. 

Sigurd 

And thou hast won, behold the country lies 
Submissive at thy feet and hails thee king. 
And through thy blessed reign each idol must 
Be broken down and cast into the dust. 



20 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 

Indeed our triumphs have been great, and much 
We have to thank our God and Father for ; 
But sad to think, the country yet is full 
Of idol-temples and of altars vile. 
There is the North, and all the valleys 'round 
Old Nidaros, which I have lately learned, 
Are still observing seasons with their feasts 
Of bloody sacrifices to their gods. 

Sigurd 

All these good heaven into thy hands will grant; 
But it is time that we should Complin chant. 
And for thy great deliverance, O, king, 
Wc will TE DEUM LAUDAMUS now sing. 

(The bell rings; the chapel-door opens j and a 
vested choir meets the king, singing. The king, 
bishop and attendants enter, and the door is closed. 
Singing from within. It grows quite dark.) 

SCENE 5 

Ingegerd and Sigvat skald. 

(Ingegerd is dressed in the costume of a young 
huntsman.) 

Ingegerd 

And here it is, thou sayest, Olaf dwells; 
A charming, peaceful place among the trees. 



ACT I 21 



SlOVAT 



The peace of God is resting upon all, 

Since from His house sweet harmonies go forth. 

List to the chorus, how its anthem swells 

With praise to Him who ruleth over all ! 

The king in humble prayer bendeth low 

His noble head before the holy Cross, 

And Him who died upon it for our sins. 

Behold how restful nature is to-night! 

The autumn-wind hath gone to sleep within 

The dark, deep forest, not a leaf is stirred ; 

The silver moon doth hang above the rim, 

Where sky and woodland meet, and blend their 

shades ; 
How sweet seems rest to-night to weary ones, 
To such as we, fatigued with journeys long. 

Ingegerd 

No weariness I know, my eager heart 
Is beating fast, for I have reached at last 
The palace of the King whom I shall see 
Full soon, then part, for never more to meet. 

SiGVAT 

O, Nomas* will the threads of life so spin, 
That thine and his shall sometime be entwined. 

Ingegerd 

Speak not of Nomas, thou, a Christian skald, 
A mightier doth shape the fate of life. 

*The three Fates of Norse mythology. 



22 KING SAINT OLAF 

( The chapel-door opens; Ingegerd and Sigvat step 
aside, while the party of worshipers pass in proces- 
sion into the hall. The moon is rising; increasing 
light.) 

Ingegerd 

{Low.) 
Now have I seen him. O, my noble King, 
The hero of the Cross, true, valiant! 

(Sigvat takes his harp on which he strikes a jew 
chords.) 

Play, Sigvat play, thy melodies allay 
The tremor of my heart. 

Sigvat 

I'll sing a lay. 
{He sings.) 
Over the pine-clad mountains, 
And through the murky forest, 
Travelled a skald and a princess, 
Far from the land of Svitjod, 
Far to the hall of Olaf ; 
Fair is the doughty princess, 
Eager to see her woer, 
Love is a sorrov^^ to her. 

{The king enters unobserved.) 

Not w^ist the king this evening. 
Who in the moonlight standeth, 



ACT I 23 

Although his heart is yearning 
Answer to get from In'gerd, 
Soon he must know, however; 
Shadows begin to lengthen; 
Heavy the sword of Olaf 
Falls upon all his foe-men! 

SCENE 6 

Olaf, Ingegerd, Sigvat. 

Olaf 

O, Sigvat skald, when didst thou here arrive? 
And why such harpings to a lonely youth ? 
Who — as I ween — from Svitjod followed thee. 
Into my hall come ye, refresh yourselves 
With food and wine, and when ye rested have. 
We will in your adventure take delight. 

Sigvat 

With gratitude I would my King obey, 
But know not what the youth to this will say. 

Ingegerd 

Good Sigvat, thou into the hall must go, 
Partake, as meet is, of the royal board. 
But I must speak with thee, O King, at once, 
Then to my men, who wait nearby, return. 

Olaf 

And comest thou with peace or war, my youth ? 



U ICING SAINT OLAF 

Ingegerd 

From Svitjod's king, with Sigvat skald I come. 

Olaf 

Full well I this suspected, but the news, 

I am intent to learn, both from the king 

And princess Ingegerd, must come through him. 

Ingegerd 

Indeed, he may relate much more than I, 
For he is learned in sweet minstrelsy. 
But unto me the answer of the king 
Was given as a burden to convey. 

Olaf 

And must thou straightway this to me declare ? 

Ingegerd 

Yea, without much delay; — if thou wouldst lend 
Thy gracious ear unto thy servant here. 

Sigvat 

And, by your kindness, I will take my leave. 

Ingegerd 

Farewell, kind Sigvat, thanks I tender thee 
For all thy services; a royal bard 



ACT 1 ^i 

Indeed thou art, in song and chivalry, 
A boon companion of young heroes cult. 

SiGVAT 

Thanks be to thee, my friend, thanks for the days 

I spent in Svitjod's realm ; I hope again 

To meet thee — on some happy day — farewell ! 

SCENE 7 

Olaf and In^egerd. 

Olaf 

What news important bringest thou to me? 

Ingegerd 

My message from the King of Sweden is: 
He coveteth thy friendship not o'er much, 
For he declares that he with right can claim 
This land o'er which thou rulest, and a theft 
Thou hast committed, making it thine own; 
Therefore he hates thee, and take care, O King, 
Lest thou art unawares caught in his snare. 

Olaf 

And hath he broken, then, the pledge he gave 
At Upsala, to Torgny and the earls. 
To Ragnvald Earl, my spokesman at his court. 
That peace should reign between his realm and mine, 



26 KING SAINT OLAF 

That I his daughter Ingegerd should wed ? 
Unfaithful dog is he whose solemn oath 
Is not as changeless as if cut in stone! 
What does he then decree concerning her 
My soul is yearning for, fair Ingegerd ? 

Ingegerd 

O, many times she pleaded well with him, 
To give her to the man she learned to love, 
From what good Sigvat told her honestly. 
Long did the king an open answer shun. 
He gave her hope that she might have her way, 
Until one morning he went on a chase. 

Olaf 

And did his answer on the game depend ? 
On growling bear, or on the timid deer. 
And should its nature thus decide for him ? 

Ingegerd 

Not so, he neither spear nor arrow used 

To kill the sullen bear or peaceful doe. 

But on his steed, he with his well trained hawks, 

In early morn brought down five partridges ; 

Fine birds they were, me thought I never saw 

Their like in largeness and in plumage fair, 

And as he laid them outstretched on the wold, 

And bid us view them, lifting one by one. 

That we might feel their weight, he proudly asked. 

If we had ever heard of any king, 



ACT I 27 

Who made a better hunt in one brief hour; 
To which his daughter Ingegerd replied : 
"Yes I have heard of Olaf, Norway's king, 
That he one morning, ere the sun arose. 
Five kings did catch without the use of sword." 

Olaf 

Ha! ha! how did her answer please him then? 

Ingegerd 

As when a pine-tree, dead and dry, is touched, 
However lightly by a leaping flame. 
At once most furiously flares and roars, 
Thus suddenly his anger changed to rage ; 
He swore that never should his daughter wed 
The King of Norway, and he cautioned her 
To ne'er again as much as breathe his name 
In his dread presence, and much more he said. 
Which Ingegerd with less heed listened to, 
For she had heard enough ; upon her heart 
There fell a load of utter hopelessness. 

Olaf 

Doth she most truly love King Olaf then ? 

Ingegerd 

How can her father's harsh refusal bring 
Such sorrow to her, if she doth not love? 



28 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 

Well then, I shall with sword and flame compel 

My enemy to yield unto my wish, 

And him some good behaviour I will teach ! 

Ingegerd 

Not such a course would kingly wisdom prove, 
Remember, he is stronger than thou art. 
In men and arms, in stores of gold and grain, 
A power which he already might have used. 
Were it not for Canute, the English king. 
Whose eyes are likewise lusting for thy throne ; 
For him he fears, and dares not strike 
At Norway, lest with him he should have war. 
But if thy armies cross the Keel,* he has 
A pretext for a fight which means thy fall. 
And Ingegerd hath this to say to thee, 
That if thou waitest, she will e'er be true. 
And sometime may your lives united be. 
Now since her message hath to thee been told, 
I must be gone, my men, not far away. 
Await my coming, therefore I must say 
Farewell to thee, O King, farewell! 

Olaf 

No stay! 
A moment yet, {he removes a ring from his hand) 

take thou this ring to her. 
An emblem of my love immutable. 



*Provincial name for the mountain chain which 
separates Norway from Sweden. 



ACT I 29 

(As she turns to receive the ring, the moon-light 
falls upon her hands and face which is partly hidden 
by the hood she wears. As if suddenly stricken with 
an idea, the king says : ) 

Thy hands look very slender, youth, not much 
To war or to the chase thou giv'n art, 
Thy beardless face hath not been burnished yet 
By sun and weather, this I can detect ; 
Remove the hood which shades thy eyes, that I 
May better see, if they be light or dark. 

Ingegerd 

My lord, I pray thee do not ask this thing, 
For thou my visage must not now behold ! 

Olaf 

Yes, I must see thy face and know thy name, 

Ere thou departest, otherwise no faith 

I place in what thy lips have uttered here. 

May be thy words are but an evil lie, 

A plan, concocted by an enemy, 

To lead astray, or else thou art a spy; 

I'll call my men, and we thy face shall see! 

Ingegerd 

But Sigvat knoweth, he thy trusted skald. 

To-morrow he the secret will reveal. 

This hath he promised, therewith be content. 



30 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 

No, Olaf s nature such a patience lacks, 
And spurred by impulse he disdains delay; 
But let me tell thee what I now surmise, 
Since I thy hands and rosy lips have seen. . 

Ingegerd 
And thy surmise will be all wrong, I fear. 

Olaf 

No, I believe, my Ingegerd is here. 

Ingegerd 

As thou believest, so then let it be. 

(She pulls off the hood; for a moment they gaze 
at each other in silence.) 

Olaf 

So, thou art Ingegerd; a thousand times 
More fair than Sigvat skald hath ever told ! 
He said, thy eyes were blue and full of light. 
The deep, dark blue, as of a moon-light night ; 
He said, thy voice was like a rippling brook. 
Which laughs and sings in some secluded nook ; 
He said, thy mind was strong and courage-clad, 
That to be queen good heav'n thee destined had. 



ACT I 31 

Ingegerd 

Nor hath thy skald related half the truth 
Concerning thee, O King ; my dreams of thee, 
Of thy heroic bearing, royal mien. 
And courtesy of speech was nobly bom 
And nourished by the praise he sang of thee; 
But ne'er this dream so fair, which followed me, 
Both day and night, until it brought me here, 
Gave justice to what now my soul perceives. 

Olaf 

So have I found thee whom my heart did crave. 
The love, I yearned for all these lonely years. 
The love, I needed to make life complete, 
The love which henceforth like the morning star 
Shall shine upon my path, when night seems dark. 
The love which soften shall and gentler make 
My nature's harsh and cruel Viking-traits, 
The love which shall inspire me to achieve, 
And reach the highest for this darkened land; 
In thee life's fulness and its victory 
God hath ordained for me; and now I pray. 
Give up thy father's home, ignore his wrath. 
Be thou my wife, my queen, without delay. 
My court shall straightway, e'en to-morrow morn. 
Begin the preparations for the feast, 
Our nuptial, and forsooth it shall be made 
As great and splendid as thy heart desires, 
And when our bishop hath our marriage sealed. 
And made an holy pact, then will my men. 
My trusted warriors, proclaim with shouts, 



32 KING SAINT OLAF 

And din of swords that Ingegerd is queen. 
With me and with my army wilt thou go 
On great excursions through this gloomy land, 
And wheresoe'er the people see the cross 
And thee, the darkness of their heathendom 
Will be dispelled, a new day will arise, 
Love's day-spring in the hearts of pagan men. 

Ingegerd 

Thy words, O King, are music to my ears, 
They thrill my soul, and yet they sadden me; 
How I would love to tarry here with thee ! 
But I must not, already darksome fears 
Come over me. If I did love thee less. 
Then I would stay and follow love's desire; 
But since I know that this would bring distress 
Upon my King, and on his land the fire 
Of vengeance by my father, therefore now 
Let me depart, sometime we two shall find 
Our wedding-day, and with no fear to throw 
A shadow o'er the happy mind. 

(She attempts to withdraw from him.) 

Olaf 

111 dost thou judge me, if thou thinkest I 
Would flinch before thy father's angry threat ; 
For were his armies ten times that of mine, 
I should not fear to meet them, since thy love 
Would make me and my men invincible. 

Ingegerd 

I know my father better than thou dost ; 
And now let reason also have its way, 



ACT I 33 

In time, which shapes man's fate, we'll put our trust, 
So fare thee well, until our wedding-day. 

Olaf 

No, Ingegerd, do tarry here with me. 
At least a while, or if thou must depart. 
Permit me to escort thee to the place 
Where, as thou say'st, thy trusty men encamp. 

Ingegerd 

My men are near by, and I deem it best. 
That none of them should see the King this night. 
Nor am I fearful, ought would me molest. 
{Exit Ingegerd.) 

SCENE 8 

Olaf (Solus) 

Thus grants the heav'n a glimpse of what we wish, 
To make our souls more ardent and more sad. 
It holds our heart's desire so near our reach. 
Then draws it far away, to make us mad, 
A madness that spurs on and makes us scorn 
Each foe and danger in a noble strife. 
Until we feel and know that we were born 
To be the heroes of a higher life. 

Two aims were given me by destiny : 
One is, to christianize this pagan land, 
To subject all its little kings to me, 



34 KING SAINT OLAF 

And wisely rule this realm with steady hand ; 

The other is, tc win the fairest face 

And truest heart that God did e'er create, 

On whom good heav'n pours out its charming grace 

And love, estranged to every hellish hate; 

These very aims, m^^ heart's will and desire, 

Have passed before me like a vision fair, 

And fill my being with a glowing fire. 

Which lights my path to glory or despair. 

SCENE 9 

(A tumult is heard from the hall. A large num- 
ber of armed men rush upon the stage, among them 
Sigvat skald.) 

First Soldier 

{Pointing toward the forest beyond the chapel.) 

This way, ye men, down to the fjord, of course! 

Second Soldier 

But we must first await the King's command. 

Sigvat 

Yea, tarry till we hear the King's command! 

Olaf 

What means this tumult and excitement wild? 



ACT I 35 

SiGVAT 

O, King, blind Rorek hath escaped from us ! 

Olaf 

What sayest thou? King Rorek hath escaped! 
Pray, tell me quickly of this strange affair ! 

SiGVAT 

This very hour thy men sat 'round thy board 

With Rorek and his guard ; Finn Little brought 

A pail of seasoned mead into the hall. 

Of which we all drank freely, till our eyes 

With sleep grew heavy, and some drowsed away ; 

Then Rorek asked his guard to lead him out. 

Reluctantly they with his wish complied, . 

For they were dulled by drink, like all the rest. 

At last he had his will and left the hall, 

While Finn continued to supply the mead ; 

But soon he also left ; some moments passed, 

And I did follow him; alas, what scene 

Did meet me now! Stretched on the ground there 

lay, 
In pools of blood, the bodies of the men 
Whom thou didst place to guard the wily king; 
Slain by a foe which stealthily did come 
To aid him in his secret plan of flight. 
In which Finn Little surely played his part. 

Olaf 

And whither, thinkest thou, they made their way? 



36 KING SAINT OLAF 

SiGVAT 

Most likely to the fjord and waiting boats. 

Olaf 

Or to the woods, we know not Rorek's wit; 

Half of my men, well armed, with utmost haste 

Must to the ships and with them search the bay; 

Some here remain, the rest the forest path 

Espy with diligence, the fugitive 

To find, lest he his liberty shall gain, 

And I my cause and kingdom lose for aye! 

Curtain 



ACT II 

Place — Maeren-j Norway. 

Scene — A large hallj in which there is a long table, 
at the upper end of which is a dais, which is occupied 
by Olvcj lord of the hall. Two of Norway's fore- 
most chiefs, namely : Thore Hund and Haarek are 
present, and together with a cotmpany of their re- 
tainers occupy seats at the table. Rorek and Finn 
Little are among the guests, seated next to the dais on 
the right hand, while Thore and Haarek have the 
same place of honor at the opposite side. It has been 
a night of revelry, and the men are still drinking. It 
is now towards morning — a morning in early Spring. 
The room is poorly lighted with candles. On the 
walls hang weapons and shields. 

SCENE I 

Olve 

{Lifting a horn of mead, addressing his guests.) 
True to our fathers' custom, have we shed 
The sacrificial blood, that to our land 
The gods may grant a summer rich in corn. 
Still we have grain for beer and bread; a year 
Of killing frost and failure doth not find 
Us famine-stricken in this fertile vale, 
Since peasants have in store much good old grain. 
But from the North come stories of great woe, 
Where people die in want of daily bread. 
The gods are angry with Haalogaland, 
Because it turned away from them, to serve 
37 



38 KING SAINT OLAF 

King Olaf s Christ ; now sorely it must rue 
Its faithlessness to all the aesir great. 

ROREK 

To such a plight King Olaf all our land 

Will bring, if it accepts his faith. 

My friends, 'tis time that we should Norway save 

From dire disaster ! Still there is a way 

To guard our country and the homes we love ; 

And if ye would not such as I become, 

A sightless fugitive, and maimed for life. 

Then stay his bloody hands, ere all is lost. 

Olve 

The gods have sent thee here to fire our souls, 
To 'rouse us from the sloth which binds our strength, 
For sloth hath ever been our enemy; 
But tell us Rorek, for thou seemst to know, 
How we may check King Olaf in his course. 

Rorek 

Men of much wisdom, chiefs for prowess famed, 
Sit 'round this board, and rather would I. list 
To counsel from their lips. Let Thore speak. 
And Haarek, men of weighty words, then I, 
Perhaps, may syllable a burning thought. 

Thore 

King Rorek, let him speak ; 



ACT II 39 

All 

Yea, let him speak! 

ROREK 

{/i rising.) 
Since ye desire that I shall counsel give, 
I must request, as one who cannot see 
The faces of his hearers, that our host, 
Great Olve, of his guests allegiance takes ; 
That all swear secrecy to what is said, 
And enmity to him whom Odin hates; 
Let Olve take the horn, he consecrated hath 
To ^sir's honor, fill it with strong mead, 
Then pass it 'round the table that each one. 
Who takes this oath may drink, and he who fails 
To quafE his potion may thereby be known. 

Olve 

My guests is this your wish? 

All 

So let it be ! 

Olve 

( Taking a golden horn, and filling it, he addresses 
the men.) 

My friends, who dwell within my hall, as guests. 

At this our sacrificial season, when 

The gods must be appeased with reeking blood, 



40 KING SAINT OLAF 

That we their blessing and good will may have, 

Our duty it becomes to bind ourselves 

Against the man who spurns their holy will, 

Who by destruction of their images 

And sacred temples bring upon our land 

Their fiery anger; we who fear the gods 

And seek their favor must this very night 

A pact establish 'mongst ourselves, which binds 

Us to withstand King Olaf's tyranny, 

And find a way whereby his growing power 

May be destroyed. The presence of a king. 

Like Rorek, who as ruler of his clan, 

Was strong and prosperous, but now does hide 

Beneath my roof, a poor, blind fugitive. 

Should warn us of the fate that may befall 

Each one of us, if we no measure take 

To overthrow the mocker of our gods. 

King Rorek will now counsel us how this 

May be achieved, but ere he does, let all, 

WTio swear allegiance to our cause. 

Drink of this horn which to the ^sir hath 

Been consecrated. May the ^sir's curse 

Be on the lips that touch it with a lie ! 

{The horn is passed around, and all drink of it.) 

Rorek 

Chiefs, warriors and friends, my heart is filled 

With fire to-night, not the consuming fire 

Of hatred only, but a burning zeal 

For land and people and their future well. 

Much have I thought and planned, since nothing else 

The darkness of my life will me permit; 



ACT n 41 

No work, no action for my groping hand ; 
My sword and shield hang rusty on the wall; 
No more shall Rorek lead his men to war, 
Since he himself must beg a hand to guide ; 
But I can think and plot, and if a word 
From my enkindled soul shall like a spark 
Set fire to other hearts to dare and do. 
Then will I bear my fate without complaint. 
My friends, arise and save your native land! 

(Much acclaim.) 
Where art thou Thore Hund who copest oft 
With growling grizzlies in thy Northern isle ? 
Thou art a silent man, but thinkest much; 
Hast thou forgotten Olaf s robberies 
And proud disdain of every freeman's right? 
Arise, put out thy ships this very night. 
And I will go with thee to King Canute, 
To England's court, and bow before his throne, 
Give him our fealty and show true cause 
For his subjection of the upstart king; 
That Norway's chiefs stand ready to submit 
Themselves to his protection and just reign; 
Then will we send his fleet across the sea. 
Arouse indignant chiefs to join his hosts, 
And wage such war on Olaf, that his power 
For ever shall be crushed, and Norway's homes 
And altars once more find security. 
How seems this counsel to you earnest men? 
If it seems good, then act without delay, 
For I have fears, the King's not far away. 

{He takes his seat. Much acclaim.) 



42 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olve 

Thus we have heard King Rorek's counsel good, 
What think ye? {to Thore) Thore wilt thou fol- 
low it? 

Thore 

Friend Rorek's words came as from my own heart. 

Oft have I thought of this, and since his speech 

Hath made it seem the only way to save 

Ourselves from an impending tyranny, 

I will make haste, commanding men to make 

My two ships ready to set out this night. 

The wind is westward, favoring our course; 

King Rorek and his faithful Finn will go 

With me to England's king, where we will plead 

Our country's well before that noble lord. 

Haarek 

And I will stay at home and quietly 
Prepare our chiefs to join the coming host. 

Olve 

So will we all, and let us drink a cup 
In honor of the splendid counsel given. 

( They drink. A noise, as of much people, is heard 
from without.) 

What means this noise? 



ACT II 43 

Haarek 

Thy servants celebrate; 

The vigor of thy mead hath stirred their wits, 

As it will Thore's ere his cup he quits. 

Thore 

And thine so dull that neither words nor drink 
Can make them ope their eyes just once to blink. 

Haarek 

Hadst thou the wits of her that sleeps by day, 
Thou wouldst know how, at night, to steal away. 

{The noise grows louder.) 

SCENE 2 

{As before; a servant enters in haste.) 

Olve 

{To servant.) 

What causes all this tumult which I hear? 

Servant 

A man is here who says that he hath seen 

King Olaf with an army, coming from 

His ships, inquiring for the shortest road 

To this your hall. Your household and your men 



44 KING SAII^^T OLAF 

Are gathering excitedly to hear 

From you what must be done to meet the King. 

Olve 

Let all my people come within this hall. 

{Exit servant.) 

SCENE 3 

The doors are at once opened, and the members 
of Olve's family, his servants and armed footmen 
enter. Amid the confusion Thore Hund, Rorek and 
Finn leave the hall. 

Olve 

My men, take up your weapons with much haste ! 
Whate'er ye find of sword, of spear or axe. 
And give defence to home and life, if he 
Comes as an enemy, and I do fear 
His coming, at this time, no good forebodes. 

( They arm themselves with the weapons, hanging 
on the wall.) 

And ye, my guests, will give us aid, I trust. 
Come, show your valor in an evil hour! 

All 

We will! 

{Clangour of arms.) 



ACT II 45 

Haarek 

But where is Thore, Rorek, Finn ? 

(Exit Haarek.) 

SCENE 4 

(The former. Enter three of King Olaf's war- 
riors.) 

First Warrior 

King Olaf with his men surrounds this hall, 
And swift surrender of you all demands, 
But if ye fail, he will, this very hour. 
Subdue you by his sword and burn your home. 

(Olve draws his sword and rushes upon them, his 
men following him outside, whence the din of fight- 
ing is heard. The women and children move about 
terror-stricken.) 

SCENE 5 

Sigrid, Olve's wife; women, and children. 

SiGRID 

Now has the dream, I had last night, come true. 

First Woman 

To me the crows foretold this happening, 
As through the gloomy forest I did go. 



46 KING SAINT OLAF 

Second Woman 

Last evening did the screech-owl laugh and hoot 
From out the firtree by the oifer-moot. 

SiGRID 

P, hear the noise of battle; how they fight! 
Ye gods be with us this unhappy night. 

SCENE 6 

(As before. Olve's men, pursued, rush into the 
hall. King Olaf, Bishop Sigurd, and Olve bound.) 

Olaf 

{With drawn sword.) 

As ye so soon have learned that in my pow'r 
Your lives and limbs are, I this one advice 
Do give to all, that ye your arms lay down ; 
Your chief is bound, my men surround his hall, 
And if ye hesitate to heed my words. 
The morning sun shall shine upon the smoke. 
Arising from the ruins of this place. 
And from the heathen bodies who refused 
Obedience to Christ and mc, your King. 

Olve 

Surrender men, and seek King Olai's grace! 



ACT II 47 

(The men lay down their weapons before King 
Olaf.) 

SiGRID 

{Falling upon her knees before Olaf.) 

Have mercy, King, and spare my husband's life. 
And I will pay the ransom, thou dost crave. 

Olaf 

A greater thing than ransom I demand 
Arise, fair woman, and soon shalt thou hear, 
What this may be and what the errand is, 
Which brought us quite unbidden to your feast. 
To me hath come the rumor that ye here 
Still follow heathen ways by pouring out 
The blood of beasts before the images 
Of Thor and other idols, that a feast 
Ye hold at each four seasons of the year, 
Made vile by ofiFerings and heathen rites ; 
That ye refuse to follow my command : 
To give up your vain idols, and the faith 
In God, the only true and living God, 
And in his Son, the Christ, accept, that ye 
Show stubbornness by all your wicked ways. 
Not long ago did Olve and his men 
Stand in my presence with a sheepish mien; 
Wise, Olve thought himself, when he did dodge 
My questions, and did hide with cunning words 
His wickedness, and when I let you go 



48 KING SAINT OLAF 

In peace, I know ye laughed behind my back; 
But know ye now, and Olve most of all. 
Ye cannot me a second time deceive. 
So make your choice, at once accept our Christ 
Or die the death your heathendom deserves. 

Olve 

But we have one who greater is than thou, 
Great Thor himself, when thou beholdest him, 
Thy face will tamer grow, nor wilt thou dare 
To stand before him as his enemy ; 
Let him decide which god we must obey. 

Olaf 

Thy proposition a confession is. 

And thou shalt have thy wish, bring forth thy god. 

Olve 

Then let six of my men depart at once, 
To bear him from his temple in the grove. 

Olaf 

And twelve of mine shall guard them in their quest, 
Lest Thor should take a notion to escape. 

Olve 

And if his hammer he should swing in wrath, 
A thotisand of thy men could not withstand 
His thunderbolt; send all if it seems best. 



ACT II 49 

(Selecting six of his men.) 
Go, bring him hither ! 

Olaf 

(Likewise designating his men.) 
And ye follow them! 

(Exeunt men.) 

Now, while we wait, my bishop will instruct 
You in the faith, I ask you to embrace. 

Bishop Sigurd 

In this dark night I come to you with light, 

The light of heaven to the sons of men ; 

"The Day-spring from on High" dawns upon you 

Benighted people in this heathen land. 

Hear now the teachings of eternal truth : 

There is no God, but one, in earth or sky. 

Who made all things by his creative word, 

The heav'n, the earth, the sea and all that lives 

In them. Man made He of the dust and breathed 

The breath of life intoi his nostrils, that 

As crown of all creation he should share 

In immortality as God's own child. 

He made a garden for him, placed him there 



50 KING SAINT OLAF 

Amid its ever bearing trees of fruit; 

And man was happy, for he knew no sin ; 

And there was peace 'mongst all created things. 

One thing, alone, he lacked, a mate, a wife; 

And God, when looking on his loneliness. 

Came down, while in sweet slumber he reposed. 

Removed one of his ribs and woman made. 

To man's great joy and fulness of his life; 

These parents of all mankind, Adam, Eve, 

In innocence did dwell, till evil came 

In shape of subtle serpent, tempting them; 

The tree of knowledge in the garden stood, 

Whose fruit was all forbidden by their God; 

Of this the tempter did them soon persuade 

To eat, which being done, man's guilt began; 

He hid from God and was of Him afraid. 

Condemned by his own conscience and the light 

Of holiness in which the Most High dwells. 

Whose righteous judgment drove them from the bliss 

Of Eden; doomed to sorrow, pain and toil. 

They wandered from the gates of Paradise ; 

But He, whose justice was a flaming sword. 

Was also merciful and gave them hope: 

"The woman's seed shall bruise the serpent's head," 

Redemption purchased by the Son of God, 

Who in the fulness of all time was born 

In Bethlehem, a prince of David's house. 

His life from childhood to his bitter death 

Was rich in wonders, such as never seen. 

No sin did he commit in word nor deed. 

But pure as heaven he lived His life of love ; 

The sick He healed, the dead He raised to life; 

He fed the thousands with five little loaves, 



ACT II 51 

Did calm the storm and walk upon the sea; 

He spake as man had never done before, 

Of love and mercy to the fallen race. 

A few did hear and gladly followed Him, 

From whom He chose twelve men, Apostles they 

Were called whom He ordained to go and preach 

The Gospel of His Kingdom to the world; 

But one of them betrayed Him to His foe — 

The wicked priests and rulers of the Jews, 

Who took the Christ and nailed Him on a cross, 

And what He there endured no tongue can tell. 

For He did suffer for our sins and paid the debt. 

His blood was shed to quench God's holy wrath 

And set us free from Satan's slavery. 

He died, was buried in a rich man's tomb. 

But death could not imprison Him, He rose 

The third day, Victor over death and grave; 

The woman's seed had bruised the serpent's head, 

And Paradise regained for Adam's race. 

This Christ, Redeemer, whom we preach to you, 

Now bids you turn from all the vanity 

Of Idols which can neither see nor hear, 

Can neither help nor harm, since they are nought 

But images, shaped by the hands of men. 

Believe on Him, for He alone can save; 

Come let your sins and guilt be washed away 

In holy baptism, receive the name 

Of Christians every one of you, then shall 

The blessings of the Most High rest on you, 

And when ye die. His heav'n of glory will 

Be opened for you, where a life of joy 

Shall be your heritage for ever more. 

But if ye fail Christ to accept, the sword 



52 KING SAINT OLAF 

Of vengeance must be drawn, and horrid hell 
Stand ready to engulf your stubborn souls. 

Olve 

Know thou, O, priest, with horns upon thy head,* 
Our god is not as lifeless as thou sayest! 
For daily doth he eat the bread and meat 
Placed in his temple by the worshipers ; 
True, oft he's silent, as a god should be. 
But stir him up to anger, and both heav'n 
And earth are filled with terror of his wrath. 
Ah! there he comes, beware, O men, beware! 

SCENE 7 

As before. The men return with a large idol and 
place it in the middle of the stage. It represents the 
god Thorj and is decked with silver and gold in a 
rather gaudy manner. It holds a hammer in the 
right hand. 

Olaf 

{Frowning upon the idol.) 

Once more I offer peace and liberty. 

If ye this horrid idol will forsake. 

And serve our God, choose what seems best to you. 



'^Referring to the bishop's mitre. 



ACT II 53 

Olve 

.Where is thy God on whom we should believe? 
We see him not nor know where he doth dwell. 

Olaf 

He Cometh now, behold Him there He is ! 

{All look through the open door at the light of the 
rising sun. While they are gazing with wonder at 
its increasing glory, Olaf beckons one of his men to 
strike the image with a club. It falls into utter ruin, 
and large rats escape from it$ hollow body. Olve 
and his followers attempt to flee, but are held back 
by the King's men. In the confusion Olve is wound- 
ed by one of Olafs men. The full light of the sun 
falls upon the King who triumphantly lifts the cross 
above his head, while all kneel about him.) 

Olaf 

Arise, friend Olve, let thy bonds be loosed ! 

One of the King's Men 

He's dead, behold the blood! 

SiGRID 

My husband dead! 

{She falls over his body.) 



54 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 

Who killed this man, cut Norway from my hand. 

Thus ever fate decrees, my victories 

Should marred be by events which spell defeat. 

Curtain 



ACT III 

Several years have elapsed since the first act, dur^ 
ing which time King Olaf has married Astrid, Inge- 
gerd's sister, Ingegerd having been given in mar- 
riage^ by her father, to Jarisleiv, King of Russia. A 
wild scenery of mountains, with a fjord in the back- 
ground. 

, SCENE I 

King Olaf, sitting on a cliff, is gazing across the 
fjord. 

Olaf 

A toilsome journey have my liegemen given 
Their king, a journey to most cheerless wilds, 
A place which nature seems to have made fit 
For evil trolls and hopeless fugitives. 
Amid such scenes I am allowed to pause, 
And think how vain my many years of toil 
Have been for Norway's good ; in vain I've sought 
To set it free from dark idolatry. 
I am its true-born King with right divine 
To rule my land in truth and righteousness, 
To make the people one and lead them on 
Toward light eternal and a brighter day; 
But all in vain ! Perhaps man's life is vain, 
His aspirations and his high pursuits, 
And, like yon skiff which moves across the sea, 
Makes but a transient pathway — soon effaced. 
55 



S6 KING SAINT OLAF 

Where are the men who friendship swore, the host 
That followed me to battle? One by one 
They slunk away; and here I will dismiss 
Even those whom duty, and not love doth bind ; 
And Astrid too, my wife, must seek her home; 
And Sigvat Skald desires to go to Rome ; 
But Magnus — 

{Enters Magnus j a young boy,) 

SCENE 2 

O, my son, thee must I have. 

My comfort and my hope, into thy soul 

The light of heav'n must shine, and thou shalt be 

The saviour of thy people, when its throne 

Thou shalt possess. My son, thou wilt not leave 

Thy father? 

Magnus 

No, with thee I will remain; 

Where e'er thy way may lead, I follow thee. 

Olaf 

I thank thee, child, thy love shall be the sweet 
Amid the bitter which I now must drink. 

{He embraces him.) 

SCENE 3 

The former. Queen Astrid, Vlfhild and Sigvat 
Skald. 



ACT in 57 

ASTRID 

I am so weary, and so cold 'tis here, 

Among these dreary mountain-fastnesses; 

Why didst thou choose this way o'er rocks and 

streams ? 
A trackless wilderness, until thy men 
Can make no further path for horse and load. 
Would I were in my father's hall this day ! 
Poor Ulfhild weeps ; methinks the child is sick 
And needs a place of rest — and tender care ; 
'Twill be our death, if we with thee must fare, 

{Astrid and Ulfhild weep.) 

Olaf 

My consort, thou shalt have thy wish fulfilled, 
To go to Svitjod, to thy father's hall; 
Take Ulfhild with thee, but give Magnus leave 
To follow me, since this is his desire. 

ASTRID 

No, no, I cannot part from him, he must 
Go home with me, his life is not secure 
With thee, O King, pursued by enemies, 
Whose path is lined with dangers everywhere. 

Olap 

Let he himself decide what he will do. 



58 KING SAINT OLAF 

Magnus 

Oft, mother, hast thou said: "Thou art a prince, 
And heir to Norway's throne, and must as such 
Be brave and valiant, all dangers spurn. 
Seek heroes' company on battlefields. 
Instead of pleasant ease in festive halls." 
This admonition M^ill I follow now. 
Stay with my father and his trials share, 
But I will come again, my mother dear 
To thee, so let me kiss away this tear. 

{They embrace.) 

ASTRID 

Farewell, my child, farewell, perhaps I ne'er 
Again shall see thy face, farewell, farewell! 

Olaf 

Farewell, Queen Astrid! {They embrace.) 

and my daughter dear, 
My Ulfhild, fare thee well, may heav'n protect 
Thee, since thy father's arm seems impotent ! 

{To Sigvat.) 

And thou, my Skald, a song by thee hath oft 
Rejoiced my heart, in days when life was bright. 
And I would have thee follow me to cheer 
Me in my exile and the hours of gloom, 
But, as I know thy heart is set to go 



ACT III 59 

To Rome, to make a holy pilgrimage, 

I ask but this of thee, in safety soon 

To bring my wife and child back to their home ; 

Then enter on thy journey to the land 

Where dwells the Holy Father of the Church. 

Farewell, my Skald, accept this ring of gold, 

A token of that nobly didst thou sing. 

SiGVAT 

And when we meet again, in future days. 
Thy people have turned curses into praise. 

{Exit J together with Queen and JJlfhild.) 

SCENE 4 

Olaf, MagnuSj Bjorn Stallare. 

{Enter Stallare.) 

Olaf 

My friend, What words of cheer canst thou bestow ? 

Stallare 

No words of cheer, O King, our progress o'er 

These lofty mountains is impossible; 

Our way is blocked with rocks and boulders huge. 

O'er which no load or horse can ever pass. 

Nor can a track be made through such a pile. 



6o KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 

It must be made, we cannot now return, 

My men must work, and God will bless our task, 

Bid them toil on, and ere another day, 

I trust that God hath made for us a way. 

Stallare 

Thy men are weary, in unhappy mood, 
And from thy presence need encouragement, 
Now let them rest until to-morrow morn, 
Then come and see, if this thing can be done. 

Olaf 

Thy words are good, and since the evening-hour 
Is drawing nigh, let food and rest to all 
The camp be giv'n; but know'st thou Stallare 
Of any place where I may dwell this night, 
Be it the simplest hut amid these wilds? 

Stallare 

Near-by there is a shepherd's lonely cot, 
But this is not a place for thee, O King. 

Olaf 

Too humble ? No, there is no place for me 
Too lowly, since my soul doth trail the dust. 



ACT III 6i 

Stallare 

Not this the reason; but uncanny things 
Are seen and heard in this secluded spot : 
Grim mountain-trolls and imps do gather there 
At night, whose horrid cries and noises chill 
One's blood with fear; for years no man hath dared 
To tarry there o'er night. 

Olaf 

Yet, I will dare! 

Show me the place and leave me there alone. 

Stallare 

Wilt thou not let me spend the night with thee ? 

Olaf 

No, I shall be alone, — alone with God. 

Go, friend, and let my men have food and rest. 

(Exit Stallare.) 

SCENE 5 
Olaf J Magnus. 

Magnus 
{With anxiety.) 

My father, let me stay with thee to-night, 
I am afraid that evil may thee harm. 



62 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 

No, child, thou must repose among my men. 
Beneath their shields sweet sleep will strengthen 

thee ; 
And thou must learn to let the shining stars 
Instil their heav'nly calm into thy soul, 
Their mystery brood on thy closing eye, 
And never fear, since God is always nigh. 

Magnus 

So be it, father, for thy will is best. 

{Exit.) 

SCENE 6 

Olaf J King's Steward. 
{Enter Steward.) 

Olaf 

Why comest thou, good Steward, with such haste? 

Steward 

To let thee know, O King, that our supply 
Of food is growing small ; now only two 
Good steers are left for meat, but what is that 
Among five hundred men, in such a place. 
On such a journey — no one knows how long. 

Olaf 

{To himself.) 



ACT III 63 

Another word of cheer. (To steward.) Go to, O 

man! 
Go to, my steward, and a portion small 
Place in each kettle for the evening meal. 

(He looks up to heaven in prayer, makes the sign 
of the Cross and says:) 

Bless, Thou, the little for the many's need, 
And as of yore. Thou didst the thousands feed 
With two small fishes and five barley-loaves, 
So may these homeless, persecuted droves 
Of men, who for thy cause with me have fled 
Into this barren wilderness, be fed ; 
Bless, Thou, our meagre store each day, and make 
It plenty for our need — for thy name's sake. 

(There is a vision of plenty; a pastoral scene of 
grazing flocks.) 

SCENE 7 

An open wold. In the back-ground mountains. 
On the right hand a little log-cabin thatched with 
turf ; it is very old and weather-beaten. On the left 
hand trees. Trolls rolling a rock into the middle of 
the stage. They dance ctround it. It is growing 
dark. 

First Troll 

This is the burden of the heart, 
The burden of the heart of man. 
From which he always seeks to part, 



64 KING SAINT OLAF 

But knows not how — and never can; 
For we will always roll it there, 
In nights of darkness and despair. 

Second Troll 

This is the sacrificial stone 

On which he pours the blood ef beast, 

And from the hollow of this bone, 

I mark this part that's toward the east, 

With blood drawn from an angry bat, 

From hooting owl and gnawing rat. 

(He pours it upon one corner of the rock.) 

Third Troll 

This is the stone of hidden fire. 
Of anger and of hatred dark. 
Come, strike it, and its innate ire 
Leaps forth like lightning's lurid spark. 
Come, let us strike, and strike until 
The fire, unchained, brings mankind ill! 

Fourth Troll 

Beneath it coils the subtle snake. 
The snake of falsehood and deceit; 
Behold its glittering eye awake ! 
Its giddy tongue and poisonous teeth ! 
'Tis mine and came from blackest hell. 
For ages I have kept it well. 



ACT III 65 

{He takes the snake from under the stone and 
puts it in his bosom.) 

Fifth Troll 

About it hovers darkness dense, 
The darkness of the underworld, 
Which keeps in bondage better sense, 
Since reason from the throne is hurled, 
I, Superstition, will him bind, 
And always rule his fearful mind. 

{A ray of light falls upon the scene from the cabin. 
The Trolls shriek and flee into the woods from which 
the First Troll is heard to say:) 

It is King Olaf's prayer; his prayer 
Doth burn us so, that we must flee. 
And none of us again shall dare 
In such a holy place to be; 
Yea, Olaf's prayer doth fiercely burn, 
Wherever we our course may turn. 

( The ray of light disappears. They return and 
dance around the rock. The door of the cabin is 
opened and the King comes out slowly.) 

Second Troll 

King Olaf! Let us hence! 

Olaf 

No stay ye Trolls! 

Or I will turn you every one to stone. 



66 KING SAINT OLAF 

Fourth Troll 

Become our King; what doth it thee avail 
To serve the good where only evil rules, 
We know thy works of these past fifteen years, 
How thou hast fought the ancient gods and sought 
To bring a new religion to thy land; 
A light in darkness did thy bishop say, 
For we have heard him, too, although unseen; 
Vain are these fifteen years which thou hast spent 
Among thy people, gone from thee for aye. 
Learn wisdom from a troll; become our King, 
Serve darkness and the mysteries of night. 
Rule over us and all the host which dwells 
In all these mountains and the forest wild; 
Thou'lt be the richest King that ever lived, 
The lord of gold and silver without end. 
For we are masters of the mountain ores ; 
Besides, the power of magic thou shalt know, 
The power to make thyself invisible 
Among thy enemies and bring on them 
The retribution which they now deserve. 
We also know, thou dost not love thy wife ; 
But Ingegerd, her sister, hath thine heart; 
Her will we bring to thee from Novgorod, 
To be thy mistress in our mountain hall; 
And we will serve thee as thy loyal court. 
The best of viands and of drinks procure, 
The finest silken garments make for thee. 
And thou shalt live like monarchs in the land 
Of far off Ind, if thou wilt be our King. 

All the Trolls 
Yea, be our King, and we will thee obey! 



ACT III 67 

{There is a sound as of distant thunder.) 

Olaf 

What is this sound as of a thunder-storm ? 

First Troll 

The coming of the host of mountain-trolls. 

Olaf 

The hobbling of their wooden-shoes, I ween; 
But tell me troll, what knowest thou of her. 
Of Ingegerd, when didst thou her behold ? 

Third Troll 

Last night I saw her in her garden stand. 
Star-gazing, sighing, muttering thy name, 
I was so near, I almost touched her hand, 
But dared not for the fear of Olaf's blame. 

{The trolls laugh.) 

Come, let him see the face on which he dotes. 
While on the air the mystic measure floats. 

{They dance, striking the rock. The image of 
Ingegerd is seen in the back-ground.) 

Olaf 

{With adoration.) 



68 KING SAINT OLAF 

O, Ingegerd, my love, is this a dream, 
A vision or a sweet reality? 

(She holds out her hand to him. Involuntarily 
he advances towards her, when the vision vanishes. 
It becomes quite dark.) 

First Troll 

Be thou our King, and she shall be thy vfxit. 

Olaf 

Depart from me, ye evil mountain-trolls. 

Second Troll 

Since thou despisest folk, such as we are, 
And for our mighty power hath no use. 
We'll work against thee till that fatal day, 
When thou shalt lean against a rock and die. 

{Olaf makes the sign of the Cross, and the trolls 
vanish. ) 

SCENE 8 

A place among the mountains. A narrow pass 
obstructed by heavy rocks. A great company of men 
are endeavoring to clear it. It is early morning. 



ACT III 69 

First Man 

This is impossible — as much this morn, 
As it was yesterday. 

Second Man 

This pass can ne'er 

Be cleared, though thousand men were laboring. 

{He sits down discouraged.) 
Third Man 

Yea, were it possible, even then what road 
To journey o'er, across these mountains wild ! 

{He sits down.) 

Fourth Man 

We need the entire force of men for this; 
But who comes here? 

First Man 
The King and Stallare. 

SCENE 9 
The former. King Olaf and Stallare. 
{The men courtesy.) 



70 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 
Good morning to you all ! How goes the work ? 

First Man 
Impossible, O King, impossible. 

Olaf 
Nought is impossible to him who wills. 

{He lays aside his cloak and begins to roll away 
the rocks.) 
Come, let us move these rocks out of the way! 

{The men go to work, and the rocks are easily 
removed.) 

The Word declares that faith can mountains move. 

( Olaf and Stallare stand aside as the pass is being 
cleared. ) 

Stallare 

The rocks are moved as if by magic hands. 
How's this my lord? 

Olaf 
The Mind's pow'r o'er the clod. 

Stallare 
I do not comprehend, 



ACT III 71 

Olaf 

Nor I, my friend; 
Life hath great mysteries, Bjorn Stallare, 
Which even he, through whom they work, can't tell. 

Stallare 

Through thee the Mighty God doth surely work. 

Olaf 

So doth He through His servants everywhere. 

Stallare 

But not in equal measure through them all. 

Olaf 

The pow'r is measured by our sacrifice. 

Stallare 

Then have I very little pow'r, my lord. 

Olaf 

Well, thou art kind to follow me so far. 

Stallare 

Would I could follow thee to distant lands! 



72 KING SAINT OLAF 

Olaf 

But that would be too great a sacrifice. 

Stallare 

I know, my family needs me full well; 
My farm would also into disuse fall, 
If I should absent be for many months. 

Olaf 

Good Stallare, I would not ask thee now 
To follow me to distant Russia; 
Return thou to thy home and family, 
Watch the affairs of Norway, and some day, 
Not far off, I do trust, lend me thy hand, 
For I do hope my kingdom to regain. 

Stallare 

(Giving the King his hand.) 

My lord I thank thee, though I fain would go 
With thee and share with thee what fate decrees. 
And when the time is ripe for thy return. 
This bear* will be the first to welcome thee. 

Olaf 

Ha! Ha! the watch dog,f too, will meet me then. 



*Stallare's first name is Bjorn, meaning a bear. 
fThe allusion is to Thore Hund, or dog. 



ACT III n 

Stallare 
Perhaps, but, then a bear may match a dog. 
Olaf 

Good is thy word of parting, Stallare, 
And like a star thy friendship to my path. 

{The pass is now clear, and the King, turning 
towards it, says:) 

The obstacle's removed, the road is clear, 
To safety — and to exile — it leads on ; 
Go, men, your task is done, go to the camp, 
And tell it to arise and move at once. 

{Exeunt the men.) 

Scene io 
Olaf, Stallare. 

Olaf 

There shall a highway be, the Scripture saith, 

A highway through the waste and wilderness ; 

This hath the Lord prepared, for He's my guide. 

My stay and strength in every hour of need; 

What matters then, if enemies conspire, 

If friends be false, and fortune fickle is, 

He never fails, nor ever leads astray. 

Though it may seem. His paths are rough and steep ; 

And though a cross awaits us at the end, 

Even that, my friend, will be our victory. 



H KING SAINT OLAF 

(He embraces Stallare.) 

{The army begins to move through the pass. A 
large banner with a white Cross is carried before it. 
A horse is led in for the King; he takes its bridle 
and says:) 

Farewell, my land, I love thee more than life, 
And I would die for thee to make thee Christ's! 

{To Stallare.) 

Farewell, my friend ! 

Stallare 

We'll meet again, farewell! 

Curtain 



ACT IV 

At the court of King Jarisleiv, Russia. King 
Olafs apartments, granted him during his exile. 

Scene i 

Olaf. {He is somewhat changed in appearance, 
sitting on a bench, whittling a stick.) 

(Solus) 

The tragedies of life lie in its doubts, 
Its failure in the losing of our faith; 
Here I sit brooding, days, and often nights, 
O'er what the mission of my life should be. 
To seek what I my birthright thought — the throne 
Of Norway, or resign all earthly power. 
And go on pilgrimage to Holy land ; 
Then seek the solitude of saintly men. 
Behind the ivy-mantled hoary walls 
Of some great monastery, and there spend 
The remnant of my years in fast and prayers ; 
For this, perhaps, would give my soul true rest, 
And surely lead at last to Paradise. 
Great good it is for man to give himself 
To meditation and to sacred lore, 
Denying all which wareth 'gainst the soul. 
And this I fain would do, if in my heart 
No doubt did rise as to what heav'n decrees. 
If ne'er the call I heard once more to take 
Possession of my birthright and its weal; 
75 



76 KING SAINT OLAF 

If in my heart I did not feel a fire, 

Which friar's holy water cannot quench; 

And whence this call, this fire, if not from God, 

Who ere my birth predestined me a King? 

But still the doubt as to my future course 

Doth rankle in my breast; O, cursed doubt, 

That steals the marrow from the hero's bones. 

And make the mighty falter in his way! 

Would that some messenger from heav'n might come 

And point me to the path, I soon must go ! 

Ne'er did I doubt myself before, perhaps — 

That I may lose myself and all in Him. 

{He is lost in thoughts, but continues to whittle.) 

Scene 2 

Olaf. A Page. 

( The Page, bringing a drinking-cup on a server. 
He approaches the King slowly.) 

Page 

My lord, {the King is unconscious of his presence.) 
My lord! {The King looks up.) 

To-morrow is Monday. 

( The King rises to his feet, disturbed by this state- 
ment.) 

Olaf 

Leave thou the wine and bring a candle-light. 



ACT IV 77 

{Exit Page.) 

Scene 3 
Olafj Magnus. 

Magnus 

{Enters joyfully.) 

My father, I have been with Ingegerd, 

The gracious Queen of all this Russian realm, 

And she doth say that thou wilt be the King 

Of great Bulgaria, and I the heir thereto; 

She says it is a land of riches great. 

Of fields and flocks and of a mighty race; 

On hearing this I hastened here to tell 

The news to thee that it might cheer thine heart. 

Olaf 

Come hither child, and let me kiss thy face, 
So radiant with joy and buoyant hope; 

{He kisses him.) 

More than a kingdom is to me thy love, 

And were it not for thee, I ne'er should think 

Of being King again of any realm ; 

If so must be, then there is only one 

Which I must rule, and thou its only heir. 

But let us speak no more of this to-day. 

To-morrow Monday is, my page did quote. 



78 KING SAINT OLAF 

Scene 4 

Olaf, Magnus, Page. 

( The Page enters, carrying a burning candle, plac- 
ing it on the table. King Olaf gathers the shavings 
from the whittling on the floor. Magnus and Page 
offer to assist him.) 

Olaf 

{Refusing their help.) 

This act of penitence is mine alone. 

{He places the small shavings in his right hand 
and kindles them with the candle. A flame leaps 
from his hand.) 

Magnus 

{Alarmed.) 

My father, wherefore doest thou this thing? 

{He buries his face in his hands and weeps.) 

Olaf 

It is a small atonement for my sin, 
For I have disregarded God's own day. 
Though thoughtlessly, or rather lost in thoughts. 
And it is better for my hand to feel 



ACT IV 79 

This sting of fire, and learn, than bum for aye; 
For son, remember that we must obey 
God's holy law, or else be cast away. 

Magnus 

O father, does it smart thee cruelly? 

(He kisses his father s hand.) 

Olaf 

Thy kiss is balm to all my burning wounds, 
Ev'n to my soul, which knows a greater pain. 
And now, my son, go with the page a while. 

(Exit Magnus and page.) 
Scene 5 
Olaf^ Ingegerd 
(Enters Ingegerd.) 

Olaf 

Good day. Queen Ingegerd, how farest thou? 

Ingegerd 

Quite well, King Olaf, though the time seems long. 

Olaf 

Doth time seem long to thee whose life is full 
Of all the things, the human heart can wish ? 



8o KING SAINT OLAF 

Ingegerd 

The human heart craves more than pomp and pow'r, 
More than the pleasures of the royal court, 
More than the flattery of honeyed tongue, 
More than the jingles of a hireling bard. 

Olaf 
And, pray, what more doth even a queen desire? 

Ingegerd 
A soul, a spirit that's akin to hers. 

Olaf 

I have to-day made penance for my sin. 
My hand still feels the pain of purging fire. 

Ingegerd 

And art thou wounded thus, pray, let me see. 

{He holds out his hand.) 

A cruel self-infliction this; hast thou 

No soothing ointment for such awful wound ? 

Olaf 

Sweet unguent have I in thy gentle touch, 

And in thy voice a soothing medicine. 

My soul's physician thou, my love's delight ; 



ACT IV 8i 

{He kisses her hand.) 

But I must leave thee soon, methinks I hear 

A call to distant lands, and to a place 

Where God's dear Son did die, that there I may 

Find pardon for my great iniquity. 

And serve Him through my life's remaining years, 

In humbleness within some cloister-cell. 

Ingegerd 

Not so, my friend, not so, such dreary lot 
Shall not be thine, for know, this very day 
King Jarisleiv and I provisions made 
For thy enthronement to Bulgaria, 
The great Bulgaria, a realm not mean 
Compared with Norway, and, indeed more sure, 
Since Jarisleiv can be behind the throne. 
No other place hath Providente decreed 
For thee than that of kingship of some realm. 
Thou true-born prince of hero's mould, my King! 

Olaf 

Queen Ingegerd, how pleased and proud I am 
To hear such noble words and generous. 
So all inspiring to my burdened soul ; 
And I would count it highest honor to 
Accept such royal offer from thy hand; 
But if at all I'm born to kingly worth, 
It is to rule the land to which I'm heir; 
No other realm is mine by right divine; 
And therefore must I either try to win 
What I have lost, or never rule again. 



82 KING SAINT OLAF 

What e'er must be, my heart will ne'ertheless 
Overflow with gratitude to thee and him 
Who rules with thee this realm of Gardarik. 

Ingegerd 

Yes, thou art King, and if no other land 
Thou deign'st to rule than Norway, thine by birth, 
Then may thy wish come true, for we will aid 
Thee with an army to retrieve the same. 

Olaf 

O, noble Queen, thou art a messenger 

From God to save me from destructive doubt, 

To rouse me from my lethargy to gain 

New strength and purpose for the future days; 

'Tis thee I lack, with thee my will should know 

No obstacle, no failure; and no foe 

Should ever boast of signal victory. 

Ingegerd 

My heart's desire would be to go with thee, 

Where e'er thy highest aspirations lead ; 

To scenes of peace or bloody battlefields. 

Since only in thy presence I'm content; 

But that can never be, our lot's to live 

United in the Spirit's highest life. 

While earth doth bind vnth duty's iron-chains. 

Olaf 

Our love is lustrous as the evening star, 
And purer than its clear and trembling rays, 



ACT IV 83 

Whose light shall guide us through the darkest night, 
And lift our vision to the highest goal. 

(Goes to the window.) 

Come, siee the sunset, never have I seen 

Such evening-glow behind the pineclad hills ; 

Behold heaven's fiery chariot depart 

Into the realms of gold and crimson red! 

And there, above it, stands the evening star, 

Pale, almost to invisibility, — 

Until the shadows from the darkling vale 

Have with their mantle clothed the mountain peak; 

Then it shall greet us as the symbol of 

Our truest love; prophetic is the scene 

Of my own life, for its last day must close 

Behind the far-off pine-clad western hills; 

But when my sun is set, our evening-star 

Shall shine for aye in the eternal blue. 

Ingegerd 

But thou must not depart from me, for then 
My sunset will come first, stay here with us ; 
All privileges of the court are thine. 
Remain with us, await a better day. 

Olaf 

A conflict rages often in my soul. 
Between my destiny's incessant call 
And life's sweet ease, enchanted by thy love; 
This struggle, even in the hours of night, 
Destroys my sleep and rest, until fatigued 



84 KING SAINT OLAF 

I slumber off and dream fantastic things. 

This morning, having spent a restless night, 

I lightly fell asleep and dreamed a dream; 

I saw a man, in mien and bearing like 

A king, perhaps King Olaf Trygavason, 

Approaching me, and speaking on this wise : 

"Why art thou downcast with the cares of life. 

Why waver, hesitate and doubt the trend 

Of thy own future course? Why thinkest thou 

Of laying down thy crown as Norway's King? 

Arise, return and claim thy right divine! 

It is great honor for a man to win 

A vic'try o'er his bitter foe, 

But not less glory, if he fall and die 

The hero's death, amid his warriors. 

Thou must not by remaining here deny 

Thy birthright and thy royal worth, arise, 

Regain thy land, and God shall witness bear 

That Norway is thy own, thy heritage !" 

I 'woke, but still methought I saw a glimpse 

Of him who with the dream was vanishing, 

And vividly his voice and visage dwell 

Within my memory and bid me do his will. 

(Ringing of church bells.) 
The vesper-bell to service summons us. 

Ingegerd 
And while we pray, may God show thee His way. 

(Exeunt.) 



ACT IV 85 

Scene 6 

A maman and a boy. 

Woman 

Here, saith the servant, doth the King abide, 
But he's not here, may be we better wait. 
How is thy throat, my son, how farest thou? 

Boy 
{With difficulty.) 

It pains me much, I scarce can draw a breath. 

Woman 

Sit down and rest a while, may be the King 
Will soon be here, if not to chapel gone. 

Boy 

If he's to Vesper, let us seek him there. 

Woman 
We hardly can disturb him in his prayer. 

Boy 
May be his pow'r to heal is greater then. 



86 KING SAINT OLAF 

Woman 

Full true, my son, that pow'r comes down from 

heav'n. 
Two' weeks already hath thy ailment raged, 
And none of all our remedies has helped. 
And if King Olaf's touch alone can heal. 
His pow'r from God is, not by wizard's skill. 

{Music and singing from the chapel.) 

Boy 

O, mother, let us go to Vesper-song, 

And seek the God who helps when others fail ! 

Woman 

So let it be, my son, come let us go, 

May Jesu' Mother hear our humble prayer ! 

{Exeunt.) 

Scene 7 
Bjorn Stallare. 

{Entering he looks about circumspectedly. He 
goes to the table, upon which the King has left the 
piece of wood which he was carving. He examines 
it with much interest.) 

Solus 

A Cross on which the Crucified is carved, 

A Cross which tapers like a two-edged sword, 



ACT IV 87 

Such as I often used to see the King 

Make with his knife while lost in some deep thought. 

I wager this is his — fresh from his hand. 

(Touching it with his lips.) 

A fitting symbol of my master's mind, 
Who deals out justice with a two-edged sword, 
And mercy by the Cross of Christ, our Lord; 
And I who have deserved the sharpened blade, 
Hope for his pardon through the Cross he made. 

(Voices of exultation heard from the chapel.) 

Scene 8 

King Jarisleiv; a priest; woman and hay^ and sev- 
eral courtiers come in hurriedly. Stallare hides be- 
hind the open door. 

Several Voices 
O, how wonderful! 

Others 
A miracle from God ! 

A Priest 
A Saint is in our midst. King Jarisleiv. 

Jarisleiv 
Long have I known, he is a pious man. 



8B KING SAINT OLAF 

Priest 

Come lad, and let us see the wondrous cure ! 

{The boy comes forward.) 

Woman 

Praise to the Virgin Mary and all Saints ! 

Priest 

{Examining the boy's throat.) 

And feelest thou no pain when thus I press? 

Boy 

There's neither pain nor swelling anymore. 

Priest 

Most wonderful, my boy. 

All 

Most wonderful ! 

Stallare 

{As he steps forth, the attention of all is fixed 
upon him, since his appearance is that of a stranger.) 



ACT IV 89 

Jarisleiv 

And who art thou ? I pray, whence comest thou ? 
Stallare 

I am Bjorn Stallare, and from the land 
Of pine-clad mountains do I hail, — a realm 
Whose Sovereign dwells with you, as I am told, 
King Olaf whom I seek to homage bring, 
And tidings of importance from his land. 
I therefore ask that ye will me inform 
Where I may find him without much delay. 

Jarisleiv 
(Advancing, receives him cordially.) 
I am King Jarisleiv of Gardarik. 

Stallare 
My lord, thy name is dear to Olaf's friends. 

Jarisleiv 
Thou art most welcome to my hall, good Bjorn. 

Stallare 

I thank thee. King, but I must first despatch 
My errand to King Olaf. Where is he? 



90 KING SAINT OLAF 

Jarisleiv 

Not many moments since was he with us. 

And here he comes. {Enters Olaf) King Olaf, 

here's a man 
Who seeks thee with a message of concern. 

Scene 9 

The former. Olaf. 

Olaf 

Bj6rn Stallare! Why comest thou to me? 

Stallare 

{Kneeling.) 

My Sovereign Lord, to give my homage and 
To bring thee tidings from our lordless realm. 

Olaf 

I am right glad to see thee Stallare. 

Arise! and be refreshed with food and drink, 

Then will I hear the tidings from my land. 

Stallare 
{Still kneeling.) 
My King, first must I speak with thee alone. 



ACT IV 91 

(Exeunt all but Olaf and Stallare.) 

Scene 10 
Olaf and Stallare. 

Stallare' 

O, King, forgive thy faithless vassal who 
Has taken money, and allegiance sworn 
To Canute, King of England, in an hour 
When all seemed lost to thee, when all thy friends 
Abandoned hope that thou again shouldst reign, 
When riches bribed, and evil threats alarmed. 
I fell before the tempter, but, O King, 
I travelled many weary leagues o'er sea and land, 
My guilt to rue and thy forgiveness ask. 
Into thy hands and God's I yield myself, 
Content to follow thee where e'er thou go'st, 
And never part from thee, if thou wilt grant 
Thy pardon. 

Olaf 

'Rise, Bjom Stallare, arise! 

I pardon thee, though it doth grieve my heart, 

That friend, so staunch as thou, should faithless 

prove ; 
And this I also know, that few there be 
Who are my friends, when men, like thee, do fail. 
I also understand how difficult 
It is, e'en for the best to faithful be 
To one whose cause seen^ truly desperate. 



92 KING SAINT OLAF 

Stallare 

Indeed, it hopeless seemed, but not to-day — 
The throne of Norway vacant is once more, 
Since Haakon Jarl, its chieftain, now is dead. 
This is the message which I bring to thee, 
That thou canst win thy kingdom, if at once 
Thou makest use of this another chance. 

Olaf 

But army, man, I have no army here! 

Stallare 

We'll gather thousands all along the way. 
May be King Jarisleiv will give thee aid; 
And Olaf, Sweden's King, — Queen Astrid's sire, 
Will lend thee men and weapons, for her sake; 
King Olaf, 'rise and claim thy heritage! 

Olaf 

Well spoken, Bjorn, thy fervent speech has warmth 

Of friendship — such as I have need of now. 

It seems to echo what I heard in dreams; 

It drives away uncertainty and doubt; 

Heav'n sent thee as a messenger to me ; 

My prayer is heard, God's will is plain, I go. 

My soul is filled with light, and I am strong, 

And nothing can my plan and purpose change. 

O, happy day-spring after darksome night, 

I hail thee and the task thou hast in store, 

Since it is better e'en to fail and die, 



ACT IV 93 

While struggling for a worthy cause, than here 
To sit and doubt, and idly spend the days. 

Stallare 

The note of victory is in thy words ; 
No foe can overcome the light of heav'n. 

Olaf 

The foe ! Who leads the armies of my foe ? 

Stallare 

Thy former friends, my lord, thy former friends. 

Olaf 

My former friends ! Yea, such is human life ; 
E'en Christ himself betrayed was by a friend. 
Oft have I thought, of late, that friendship is 
Another word for selfishness, a sweet 
Illusion which we in our need implore 
For help, and find it but the shadow of our Self. 
And yet, to-day such thoughts have passed away, 
Since thou hast proven that friendship real is. 
But, to the question, who are those old friends, 
Whose cup, once filled with wine, now death con- 
tains ? 

Stallare 

Of such there many are: Foremost 'mongst them 
Kalf Arneson and Einar Tamberskjalve, 



94 KING SAINT OLAF 

Thor' Hund and Haarek, Rorek not forgot, 
Who more than any other still inspires 
The people with his hatred for thyself. 
Yea, Rorek, like a man possest, does nought 
But plot and work against thy cause, O King; 
In league with great Canute, he leads the host 
Of darkness in the land, and ever will, — 
For he hath sworn dire vengeance on thy head. 

Olaf 

I understand, he went to Canute's court 
With Thore Hund and others to incite 
The King to war against me, which at last 
Made me an exile and a throneless King. 

Stallare 

Yes, Rorek is the leader of them all. 

Though blind, he sees the glow of hate and hell. 

Olaf 

May be his soul shall yet behold the light 
Of heav'n and of the Kingdom of our Lord. 

Stallare 

The death of Olve was unfortunate. 

It did unite the North, as nothing else. 

Against thee, friend as he was of the chiefs. 

His widow married Haarek, through whose power 

She ceaselessly hath worked against thy cause. 



ACT IV ' 95 

And kept the flame oi vengeance in the breast 
Of all the leading chieftains of the land. 

Olaf 

Most cruel fate which laid him low that mom; 

Together with his god he perished then ; 

The sun shone brightly on uplifted Cross 

And on the vanquished worshipers of Thor. 

But from that scene I now decern 

The forces marshalled to a final strife, 

The pow'r of darkness and the pow'r of light, 

In final combat for the final right; 

For martyr's blood is strong where e'er 'tis shed, 

And men are by its call to vengeance led. 

Stallare 

But thine is still the Cross, its victory 
Shall shine again o'er all thy vanquished foes. 

Olaf 

Heav'n grant thy words be true, friend Stallare! 

Scene ii 

The former; page. 

Page 

{Excitedly.) 

My lord, some strangers, just arrived, have caused 



96 KING SAINT OLAF 

A great excitement 'mongst thy men who ask 
Admittance to thy presence. 

Olaf 

For what cause? 

Stallare 

I know ; it is my men who have met thine 
And stirred their eagerness to onward go; 
They will no longer rest and see their swords 
Grow rusty, and they clamor for the hour 
Of thy departure to their native land. 

Olaf 

Then ope the door, my page, and let them in. 

{Exit page.) 

Scene 12 

The former. 

{Enter large company of Olaf's and Stallare' s 
men — armed.) 

Stallare 

Thy men and mine, O King, united stand 
To win the crown that's thine alone; {to the men) 
not so? 



ACT IV 97 

Men^ in Chorus 
Ay! Ay! 

A Spokesman 

We've bound ourselves to follow thee, 
King Olaf , unto victory or death. 

Men, in Chorus 
Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! King Olaf ! 

Stallare 

Hear! 

The hour is come, my lord, to rise and act. 

King Olaf 
The hour is here, indeed, good Stallare. 

Scene 13 
The former, Ingegerd, Jarisleiv, and attendants. 

Ingegerd 
What means this clamor and these loud hurrahs ? 

Olaf 

That heav'n is answering my prayers aloud, 

My path is plain, and I depart this day, 

To win the crown which England stole from me ; 

And now. King Jarisleiv and Ingegerd, 

I thank you for your hospitality 



98 KING SAINT OLAF 

And royal kindness to a homeless man — 
These many months, I tarried in your hall, 
For kindness to my child and these my men. 

Jarisleiv 

It grieves us much to learn that thou must leave, 

Since other plans w^e cherished for thee here, 

But knowing that thy resolution has 

Been reached through struggle and devotion true, 

I shall not try to change, nor hinder it 

In any manner, no, both men and arms 

Most gladly to thy service I will give. 

Olaf 
{Grasping his hand.) 

Thanks, noble friend, and in my victories 
Thy kindness shall add lustre to thy name. 

(To Ingegerd who has withdrawn into the back- 
ground with averted face.) 

To Ingegerd I have but this request, 

That she will care for Magnus, my dear son: 

Jarisleiv 
We will ; no harm shall him befall, while here. 

Olaf 

Then all is well, and we must go to make 
The preparations for our chosen quest. 



ACT IV 99 

{Exeunt all, except Ingegerd.) 

Scene 14 

Ingegerd 

( Weeping. ) 

And now he goes to victory or death, 
What e'er it be, that is my heart's own fate. 
But happier is he in any strife, 
Than I in this my anxious, lonely life. 

Scene 15 

Ingegerd, Magnus. 

Magnus 

{Advancing slowly, and laying his hand tenderly 
on her arm.) 

Why weepest thou, dear mother, Ingegerd? 

Ingegerd 

{Embracing him.) 

Dear child, and thou dost call me mother, too; 
The image of thy father — left with me. 

Curtain 



ACT V 

Place — Sticklestad, Norway. 

Scene — A hill from which a distant fjord is seen 
in the back-ground. To the right of the stage a 
small log-house; to the left a clump of trees. 

It is the thirtieth day of July, 1030, the day of the 
great conflict between the Christian armies of Olaf 
and the pagan hosts of the peasants, the latter being 
three times as numerous as the followers of the King. 
A sun eclipse occurred during the battle, and as the 
curtain rises, the scene is in a semi-darkness. The 
battle is raging on the plain below, but not visible to 
the spectators. 

Scene i 

Ingegerd and Sigvat. 
{Watching the battle from the left of the stage.) 

Ingegerd 

So far I've followed him, his helmet's gleam 
Beneath his flying standard; but now hides 
The darkness him, how strange and ominous ! 
God shows displeasure with the pagan men, 
And their hostility to Christ, our Lord. 
Alas! what meaneth this? To me it seems 
That all the heights are filled with spectral shapes 
Which flit about pursuing or pursued. 
O, Sigvat, canst thou see his standard now? 
100 



ACT V loi 

SiGVAT 

Yea, dimly can its Cross I still decern, 
As mid the thickest of the fight it moves. 

Ingegerd 

My valiant King, God grant him victory ! 

{Battle-cries are heard.) 

{Onward! Onward! Christ's men, Cross-meUj 
King's men!) 

O, how they shout and shriek, the fight is fierce ! 

SiGVAT 

It is a battle twixt the mighty Gods; 
Between the true and living God and Thor. 

Ingegerd 
Then victory must be on Olaf s side. 

SiGVAT 

For sooth it shall be his, it shall be his! 

Ingegerd 
Thy faith is strong, did it gain strength in Rome? 



I02 KING SAINT OLAF 

SiGVAT 

Yea, what I saw and heard estabhshed it: 
The glory of the Church, its pow'r to save 
And solace pilgrims penitent, her light 
To guide the nations, sitting in the night; 
The holy Father's gracious sovereignty. 
And blessings, fully me assured that Christ 
Shall be at last the ruler of the world. 

Ingegerd 
Didst thou obtain a blessing from the Pope? 

SiGVAT 

I did, and one for Olaf I received. 

Ingegerd 
How sad, we did not reach this place ere now. 

SiGVAT 

This is my grief , O Queen! Yea, I must go 
Into the dark affray to find my King, 
To fight for him, and even die for him. 

Ingegerd 

Thou hast no weapons, Sigvat, but thy sword. 
And wouldst thou leave me without that, alone? 



ACT V 103 

SiGVAT 

No need for thee to wield a pilgrim's sword ; — 
But it may please my lord thee to defend. 

Ingegerd 

Thanks, and forgive a woman's cowardice. 

SiGVAT 

Thou hast, indeed, been brave. Queen Ingegerd, 
To journey all the way from Russia 
To this wild battlefield, to find my lord. 

Ingegerd 

And thou know'st why, thou know'st a woman's love 
Can overcome all hindrances and fear. 

SiGVAT 

Yea, woman's love is mightier than death. 

Ingegerd 
Yes, if he fall to-day, I follow him. 

SiGVAT 

Hush! speak not thus. 

Ingegerd 
Seest thou his standard now? 



I04 KING SAINT OLAF 

SiGVAT 

Methink I still can see it float aloft. 
{War cry of the peasants:) 

Onward! onward! clansmen! 
Ingegerd 

There is a note of vic'try in that cry. 
Alas, I fear the peasants gain on him! 
Alas! alas! {she kneels) O, holy Mary, hear 
My pray'r for him, defend, I pray, his life, 
O, save him from his heathen enemy! 
Ye saints, implore for me his safety now; 
May angel-hosts protect him in this hour, 
And guide this conflict to his victory! 

{The din of battle grows louder. She arises.) 
O, now was Olaf's standard surely struck! 

SiGVAT 

{Excitedly.) 

I fear it was pulled down, I fear it was ; 
But there again 'tis lifted, — it is safe. 

Both 
Huzza! huzza! for Olaf and his men! 



ACT V 105 

Ingegerd 
I wish this darkness might be lifted soon. 

Scene 2 
The former. Enter Rorek, led by Finn Little. 

Rorek 
And so would I, whoever broached the wish. 

SiGVAT 

Poor man, how long since thou hast seen the light? 

Rorek 
Full thirteen years have been a constant night. 

Ingegerd 
Full thirteen years, what caused thy blindness then? 

Rorek 

The man who fights a hopeless battle now 
Against his countrymen, on whom the gods 
Are pouring out their vengeance for his deeds. 

Ingegerd 

Mean'st thou King Olaf? Foolish knave, how 
dar'st 



io6 KING SAINT OLAF 

Thou speak of him contemptedly ? (To Finn) 

Thou churl, 
I bid thee take away this wretch at once! 

{Sigvatj approaching them with drawn sword j at- 
tempts to drive them away.) 

Finn 

If not my eyes deceive me quite, methink 
I darkly Sigvat skald before me see. 

SiGVAT 

And I know thee Finn Little, though much changed ; 
And this is Rorek, Olaf's greatest foe. 

ROREK 

Once in his life the skald hath spoken well. 
Sigvat 

And thou hast lived these years thy fiendish hate 
To mix with cunning plots against the King? 
Behind all dark intrigues which led to this 
Great struggle here, I knew thou wert. 

Rorek 

Such utterance of truth doth honor me; 
These years have had their aim, and it is gained. 



ACT V 107 

SiGVAT 

And with thy life's achievement comes the end, 
Thou wicked imp, go down to darkest hell ! 

{He lifts his sword to strike Rorek, but Finn 
parries it off with his own.) 

Ingegerd 

No, do not slay him, Sigvat, let heav'n's ire 
Meet out some greater punishment for him. 

Rorek 

Well spoken, though there is no danger yet 

That heav'n may lose its chance to punish me; 

My trusty Finn is equal to the skald, 

Unless his journey to the Pope increased his skill 

In swordsmanship ; try it in Olaf 's ranks. 

He needs thee now. Com'st thou too late from 

Rome 
To sing the swan-song to thy troubled King ? 
Or hath he placed thee here — a woman's guard, 
Since skalds are best at home with women-folk? 

Sigvat 
Wretch, how I ache to close thy mouth for aye ! 

Rorek 
A mighty triumph for a royal bard. 



log KING SAINT OLAF 

Scene 3 

The former. Trolls — same as in third act. They 
enter unobserved from the back-ground. 

Ingegerd 

{Discovering the trolls.) 
O Sigyat, who are these strange ugly folk? 
{She runs up to Sigvat.) 

SiGVAT 

Unearthly beings, mountain-trolls, I ween. 

{Lifting his sword.) 
What are ye, and what want ye here? 
Trolls 

Ha! ha! 

We're trolls who come to see King Olaf die. 

{Ingegerd screams in terror; Rorek and Finn 
laugh.) 

First Troll 

He would not be our King, so he must die. 
For those who slay him get their help from us. 
There's Thore Hund who by our pow'r hath made 



ACT V 109 

His coat of reindeer-hide all weapon-proof. 
We often do his bidding, and to-day 
Our unseen host is working cunningly. 
King Olaf's other army now astray 
Is led and cannot come to his relief ; 
This is our work against our enemy; 
Ha ! ha ! our evil work is everywhere ! 

Trolls (In Chorus) 
Our evil work is everywhere, ha! ha! 

SiGVAT 

Depart ye evil spirits, get ye hence! 

ROREK 

No, stay, I know ye well my neighbor-folk; 
Your hall is in the mountain, near my home; 
Full often have I heard your anvil ring 
To your wild dances at the midnight hour. 
But say, how dare ye be about at day? 

Second Troll 

'Tis dark as night, that is the reason why. 
The ^sir sent this darkness, that we may 
Assist them in the felling of their foe. 

(The trolls dance fantastically, striking a rock 
from which sparks of fire leap forth.) 



no KING SAINT OLAF 

Song of Trolls 

The day is turned to night, 

And hellish is the fight, 

Now Olaf leans against the stone. 

How full of anguish is his moan; 

Now see the gleam of killing blow. 

And from the wound his life doth flow. 

And pursy Olaf is no more. 

Ingegerd 

No longer can I this endure. O Christ, 
Deliver us from evil! 

(The trolls vanish.) 

ROREK 

Ha! ha! ha! 
It is a sport to see these wily folk. 

Finn 
To see them — Rorek canst thou see them too? 

RoREK 
Yes, I can see things of the other world. 

SiGVAT 

Thou art in league with them, thou wicked fiend! 



ACT V III 

ROREK 

Whate'er I am — I am with all my soul. 

SiGVAT 

A soul sold to the evil one for pow'r. 

RoREK 
Give all thou hast to get the greatest pow'r. 

SiGVAT 

Yea, to the Christ, for He is mightiest. 

ROREK 

Fie on thee, Sigvat skald! Come, Finn, away! 
(Exeunt.) 

Scene 4 
Ingegerd and Sigvat. 

Ingegerd 
O, this is terrible, I tremble like a leaf. 

Sigvat 
Come rest thee. Queen, here is a rustic seat. 



112 KING SAINT OLAF 

{He leads her to the right of the stage, where, 
among the trees, there is a stone on which she sits 
down.) 

Ingegerd 

Did not the trolls sing about Olaf s death — 
That he was dying, leaning 'gainst a stone? 
Go Sigvat and find out how he doth fare. 

{Sigvat goes back to the place of outlook.) 

Sigvat 

What do I see, the army takes to flight! 

Ingegerd 

(Running toward him.) 

King Olaf s? O, my God, then he is dead! 

Sigvat 

Come Ingegerd, the army flies this way. 

( They disappear among the trees. Warriors from 
Olaf's army rush across the stage, battle-worn, and 
some are wounded.) 

Scene 5 

Thore Hund, Kalf Arneson. 



ACT V 113 

Thore 

Pursuit is hardly necessary now, 

The King's men flee like sheep before the wolf, 

The victory is ours, Kalf Arneson. 

Kalf 

Yes, if to slay one's King is victory. 

Thore 

And art thou sorry that the deed is done? 

Kalf 

Nor doth it give me joy to think of it. 

Thore 

Ah, Kalf, thou art a man of changing moods! 

Kalf 

And such are all when in uncertainty. 
Say, Thore, art thou sure we're in the right ? 

Thore 

I was an hour ago, but, to be true, 
I am not now. 

Kalf 
Thou man of changing moods. 



114 KING SAINT OLAF 

Thore 

And wouldst thou know the reason? 

Kalf 

Gladly, sir. 

Thore 

{Holding out his right hand.) 

Look at this hand, it had a painful wound, 

From which the blood was flowing, while I fought ; 

But when the King expired, I closed his eyes. 

And wiped a stream of blood from off his face, 

Which came in contact with my wound, and while 

I placed his body into true repose. 

And covered up his face, the wound began 

To heal, and now, behold, 'tis almost well! 

Kalf 

A miracle, my friend, a miracle! 

Thore 

So is it, and I have begun to think. 
That we, perhaps, have wrought a crime this day. 
Such thoughts, however, must not master us, 
For chiefs must ever be — as in the right. 

Kalf 

And henceforth wilt thou deign to live a lie ? 



ACT V 115 

Thore 
Until the people doth regret this day. 

Scene 6 
The former. Haarek. 

Haarek 

The peasants of this vale demand our aid 
In driving Olaf's men quite from the land, 
Lest they should linger here and devastate 
Their farms, and cruel outrages commit ; 
All blame they seem to fix on us, their chiefs, 
If laggard bands of Olaf's men remain. 

Thore 

Much caution hath the people of this vale. 
They must be sure of all things, ere they rest. 

Kalf 

Still, I do think it is a just demand; 
The enemy must be pursued at once. 
Until they cross the bound'ry of this realm. 

Thore 
Pursue them to Valhalla, if thou must. 



ii6 KING SAINT OLAF 

KLa-Lf 

Come, Thore, of thy hand we'll further speak. 

{Exeunt chiefs.) 

Scene 7 

{Enter Thorkeld and his son Grim, carrying the 
body of King Olaf on a stretcher.) 

Thorkeld 
A heavy and a precious burden this. 

Grim 
The King of Norway was no puny lad. 

Thorkeld 

We'll hide his body in this little cot, 
Lest ruthless enemies should it molest. 

{They set it down, and Thorkeld opens the door.) 

Scene 8 
The former. Ingegerd, Sigvat. 

Ingegerd 
{Discovering the body.) 



ACT V 117 

O, what is this? 'Tis he, look Sigvat, look! 

{Sigvat uncovers the King's face.) 
My God 'tis he! 

{She falls beside the corpse in a swoon.) 
Sigvat 

{Attending her.) 

Have ye no water here? 

That I may bring her back to consciousness. 

Thorkeld 

No water, sir, but steel will bring her to. 

{Sigvat draws his sword over her forehead.) 

Geqm 

Thy sword hath neither stain nor battle-scar. 

Sigvat 

Beware of taunting me, thou saucy churl. 

Ingegerd 

{Regaining consciousness.) 



ii8 KING SAINT OLAF 

Just now I saw him in a vision fair ; 

He stood amid a light most glorious, 

And spoke to me, with smile upon his face : 

"To-day I won my kingdom, and for aye 

It shall be Christ's and mine, yea more and more; 

To-day I wed thee, Ingegerd, to-day." 

(She sees Sigvat's sword.) 

Lend me thy sword, kind Sigvat, just this once. 

SiGVAT 

Queen Ingegerd, let reason rule thy heart. 

Ingegerd 
He calleth me, this is our wedding-day. 

Thorkeld 
What meaneth all this, who are ye ? I pray. 

Sigvat 
The friends of Olaf, man, I am his skald. 

Thorkeld 

If ye be friends, then do not hinder us 
In caring for the body of the King. 

Sigvat 
Where will ye hide it? 



ACT V 119 

Thorkeld 

In this cot, until 

A coffin we can make to place it in. 

SiGVAT 

But they might come and find it here. 

Thorkeld 

Not so, 
We'll hide it 'neath a pile of straw and wood. 

Ingegerd 

(Rising.) 

Thanks, noble hearted man, (grasping his hand) 

but wilt thou make 
Two coffins, one for him and one for me? 

Thorkeld 

Full many hundred slain lie on the field, 
For whom no coffins can be made, forsooth 
We cannot make them now for blooming wives. 

Ingegerd 
Insult me not, thou know'st not whom I am. 

Sigvat 
She is Queen Ingegerd of Russia. 



I20 KING SAINT OLAF 

{Thorkeld and Grim fall on their knees before 
her.) 

Thorkeld 
Forgive thy servant's thoughtlessness, I pray. 

Ingegerd 
Ye are forgiv'n, arise and do my wish. 

Thorkeld 
But why, your Majesty? 

SiGVAT 

Obey, obey! 

Thorkeld 

I should have told that we two coffins have 
In store, one for myself, one for my wife. 
Such as the custom is among our folk, 
These can be used and without much delay. 
And now, as soon as we have hid the corpse, 
Go with me to my home on yonder hill, 
And plan with me how he may be interred. 

{The body is taken into the house.) 

Ingegerd 

Alas ! 'tis more than I can bear, to see 

Him in such plight, he who is Norway's King; 



ACT V ui 

By his own people murdered, and in death 
Hid from their fury 'neath a heap of wood, 
Lest they, like beasts, should him asunder tear. 
Alas! my noble hero, if I'd known, 
That it would come to this, I pleaded had 
Unceasingly with thee to stay with us. 
But now it is too late, alas, too late ! 
But I will come to thee, thou callest me. 

Thorkeld 

(Closing the door.) 
Now let us go. 

SiGVAT 

Come, let us follow him. 
(Exeunt.) 

Scene 9 
Rorekj Finn Little. 

ROREK 

Damned rascals ! Wonder where they hid his corse. 
Ho, trolls and goblins put me on his track! 
Where are we now? 

Finn 

Close by a little house. 



122 KING SAINT OLAF 

ROREK 

Has It an open door? 

Finn 

The door is closed. 

ROREK 

Then open it; if locked, then break it down. 
A pow'r most strange is thither leading me. 

Finn 

No need of key there is to ope this door. 

{He opens it.) 

ROREK 

What seest thou within? 

Finn 

'Tis rather dark. 

RoREK 

Finn, enter, enter, see what is within! 

{Finn enters. Rorek, driven as by an irresistible 
force followSf stumbling over the threshold; he falls 
headlong into the house. Both come out almost im- 



ACT V 123 

mediately. Rorek's hat is down over his face, and 
in adjusting it, he touches his eyelids with his fingers, 
saying : ) 

'Twas wet in there, my hands felt something wet 
Upon the floor. What didst thou find, my Finn? 

Finn 

Nought but a pile of wood. 

ROREK 

A pile of wood ? 

{He rubs his eyelids.) 
What is this wet upon my hands? 
Finn 

'Tis blood. 

ROREK 

Blood! Strange indeed; my eyes are itching so. 

Finn 
Thy eyes are all besmeared with blood. 

RoREK 

Most strange! 
{He rubs them again.) 



124 KING SAINT OLAF 

O Finn ! I see thee, yes, I see, I see ! 
Be this a dream or sweet reality? 

(Finn steps back in fear.) 

Be not afraid, I have not lost my mind; 
The truth is, I can see. 

Finn 
What seest thou? 

ROREK 

Thee, and this house, these trees and yonder vale. 

Though all things seem so dim and dusk, I now 

Behold the blood upon my hands; I know, 

O God, I know! (lifting his hands toward heaven) 

It is King Olaf's blood 

Which hath restored my sight, a miracle ! 

And now I do remember what he said : 

That through my blindness I should find the light 

Of better things, a vision of the Christ. 

O Christ, forgive these many evil years, 

The blindness of my soul, the hellish hate; 

Forgive my sins against thy martyred saint, 

'Gainst whom so long I wickedly did plot ; 

Forgive this sinful pagan, and if still 

My life can serve thee, let it all be thine! 

(A brightj warm light fills the scene and remains 
till the close.) 



ACT V 125 

Scene 10 

The former. Sigvat, Ingegerd, Thorkeld, Grirrij 
and servants carrying two coffins. 

SiGVAT 

{Upon seeing Rorek.) 

Here fs that monster Rorek, and his slave. 

Ingegerd 

(In consternation.) 

Alas! that demon, is he here again? 

(J side.) 

And now perhaps he knows. 

SiGVAT 

Leave that to me. 
(He draws his sword, approaching Rorek.) 

Rorek 

I see thee now, O, Sigvat, I can see ! 
Yea, wonder of all wonders, I can see! 
And I am changed, a new and humble man. 
Who sorrows for the wrong, he did the King, 
Through whose shed blood my sight hath been re- 
stored. 



126 KING SAINT OLAF 

SiGVAT 

What sayest thou? thy sight restored, how strange! 

All 
How strange! 

SiGVAT 

How did it happen? tell it us. 

ROREK 

Not satisfied to know, the King was dead. 

But eager to obtain his body, lest 

His friends should find it and bestow on it . 

An honorable burial in some 

Secluded spot, or carry it away 

To distant lands, I with the aid of Finn, 

My true and trusted friend, came to this place, 

And by the pow'r of divination knew. 

The corpse was hidden somewhere in this house; 

Finn oped the door and searched, still nothing found 

But heaps of wood; yet, in my eagerness 

I stumbled in and fell upon the floor ; 

Then something wet I felt with both my hands, 

My hat came down upon my face, and as 

I 'rose and pushed it back, I touched my eyes, 

Or rather empty sockets, as they were, 

Which then began to itch, and rubbing them 

With both my hands, it seemed as if a dawn, 

A day-dawn, after thirteen years of night. 

Came upon me, and I began to see; 



ACT V 127 

This dawn is now full day, I clearly see, 
Yea, see ! 'Tis true what Finn did first perceive, 
That it is blood, O, precious, holy blood, 
Which gave me sight! 

Ingegerd 
My God, how wonderful! 

ROREK 

Put up thy sword, O, Skald ; henceforth no friend 
Shall e'er be found more true to Olaf's cause 
Than I, who hated him, alas, too much ! 

(Sigvat takes his hand.) 

(Rorek to Ingegerd.) 

The King hath pardoned me, wilt thou, his friend? 

Ingegerd 

Tis hard to pardon his chief murderer; 
But since, like Christ, he loves his enemies, 
And meets out good for evil, through his death, 
How can I but forgive, even such as thee. 

(She weeps.) 

Rorek 

I thank thee. Madam, may heaven comfort thee 1 



128 KING SAINT OLAF 

SiGVAT 

This day salvation is brought nigh to all. 

ROREK 

What is your purpose with these coffins, pray? 

Grim 

This for King Olaf s body we did bring. 

RoREK 

The other, whose is that? 

Ingegerd 

Ah, that was mine. 

But now it is no more, for life, not death. 
My lord has thus proclaimed; to-day begins 
His reign o'er Norway, and he bids me live. 
To help his son obtain his heritage. 

ROREK 

His son, young Magnus, where is he this day? 

Ingegerd 
Safe in the court of Russia is he. 



ACT V 129 

ROREK 

Of all the petty-kings of Norway, I 
Shall be the first to swear allegiance to 
The noble prince, King Olaf 's rightful heir. 

SiGVAT 

So do we all, come let us pledge our lives 
To Magnus Olafson. 

1 All 

(With uplifted hands.) 

We do! we do! 

Scene ii 

The former. Thore Hund, Kalf Arneson and 
Haarek enter. 

Thore 
We've chased them far enough ; 

Kalf 
They won't come back. 

(Both discover the company.) 

Thore 
Ah what is this? A scene most strange I see! 



I30 KING SAINT OLAF 

ROREK 

But Stranger 'tis for me, thee to behold. 

Thore 

Me to behold! What sayest thou, old man? 

RoREK 

{Grasping his hand.) 

This is a day of miracles, my friend, 

So great that thou canst hardly understand. 

Thore 
No, I can't understand, what meanest thou? 

ROREK 

That I, the sightless one, received my sight. 

Thore 
Received thy sight, and how? 

Rorek 
{Pointing to heaven.) 
From Him! 



ACT V 131 

{Pointing to the house.) 

Through him! 
Yea, through the King, the saint, whom we have 
slain. 

Kalf 

He's mad, poor fellow, yes, he's mad. 

Haarek 

Of course! 
Our victory is more than he can bear. 

ROREK 

{Taking their hands.) 

Not mad, my friends, not mad. 

SiGVAT 

He is not mad, 
His words are true, his sight is now restored, 
This ye can note, even without candle-light. 

Kalf 

An hour ago we should have needed it. 

RoREK 
'Twas when my sight came back, the sun shone forth. 



132 KING SAINT OLAF 

Thore 
Most passing strange, — a day of eerie signs. 

(Pause.) 
Where is King Olaf's body? 

ROREK 

(Pointing to Thorkeld.) 

Ask thou him. 

Thorkeld 

Why should I know? I've heard it said that he 
Alive appeared, this very day, at Stav.* 

Thore 

What sayest thou? Another mystery! 
But why these coffins here? 

Thorkeld 

We'll give thee one. 

Thore 

I knew not, thou wert Olaf's friend. 



*The name of a farm in the upper part of the 
valley. 



ACT V 133 

Thorkeld 

I am 
Haarek 

If not for Rorek, we would chase you all. 

ROREK 

Not her. 

Thore 

Who's she? 

Rorek 

The Queen of Russia. 

{The three chiefs make obeisance to her.) 

Haarek 

I beg your pardon, Madam, I wist not. 

Ingegerd 

Are ye the chiefs who caused King Olaf's death? 

(No answer.) 

A man from Olaf's ranks hath told that one, 
Named Thore Hund, did pierce him with a spear, 
As he lay wounded, and another chief. 



134 KING SAINT OLAF 

Named Kalf, did strike him with his battle-axe, 
Which caused his death ; — are ye these murderers ? 

(No answer.) 

Your silence proves your guilt. O, day of grief, 
That I should e'er behold such bloody foe ! 

Thore 

To fight, to give or take the fatal blow, 

Hath equal honor on the battle-field. 

Your King fought valiantly, like his men ; 

Bjorn Stallare stood by his side and struck 

Me such a blow, that had not this my coat 

Withstood its fury, 'twould have been my death; 

But I transfixed the bear with this my spear, 

And he did die, the man who led the King 

From distant Russia to his sad fate. 

But he was Olaf's friend, though once untrue, 

And in his death looked to his king with love ; 

The King beheld it; at that moment too 

A battle-axe did strike him in the knee ; 

He leaned up to a rock, a wounded man, 

And then a spear and battle-axe did all the rest. 

Ingegerd 
O, cruel men, what ought I do to you ! 

ROREK 
( To Ingegerd. ) 



ACT V 135 

Forgive them, noble lady, as, thou didst 
Forgive the one who led these chiefs to w^ar. 

Haarek 

And hast thou, Rorek, asked for such a thing? 

ROREK 

Because the grace of God I first did find. 

Haarek 

Thou hast been greatly changed, we know thee not. 

Rorek 

A change most blessed, friends, for now I see. 
Both you, and him I spurned so many years. 

Thore 

Believ'st thou then on Olaf's Christ? 

Rorek 

I do. 

Thore 

{Examining his hand. To Haarek and Kalf.) 

'Tis healed, how strange! Such miracles do shake 
Me to the very core, 



136 KING SAINT OLAF 

Haarek 

And me — 
Kalf 

And me. 
Thore 
{Aloud.) 
Nor would I henceforth be his enemy. 

ROREK 

Ye, too, my friends, will see a better light; 
But listen to me now ; oft have ye asked 
My words of counsel and ev'n followed it, 
And now I ask one thing of you. 

Thore 

Speak forth. 

RoREK 

If ye did know where Olaf's body lie, 
Would ye molest or duly honor it ? 

Kalf 
We'd honor and protect it. 



ACT V 137 

Thore and Haarek 

Aye, we would. 

ROREK 

Then, as I know the mettle of your words, 
I beg your aid in this one solemn task, — 
The burial of hini, our fallen King. 

Thore 

Where is he then ? 

Ingegerd 
O, tell him not, I pray! 

RoREK 

Now dealest thou with men of honor, Queen. 

{To Thorkeld.) 
Bring forth the body. 

Ingegerd 
Art thou sure of them? 

Rorek 
As sure as of myself and thee, Queen Ingegerd. 



I3B KING SAINT OLAF 

Thore 
Did ye intend this coffin for the King ? 

SiGVAT 

We did. 

Thore 

The other one for whom? 

SiGVAT 



For none. 



O, say not that. 



Ingegerd 



Thore 



A happy thought — for none ; 

I have it, Rorek, listen to my plan : 

We place the body in this coffin here, 

And take it 'cross the fjord to Nidaros, 

Where it shall be interred close by the church. 

Or what I've heard the priests call holy ground. 

But Bishop Sigurd is his enemy. 

Bought as he is with English gold, and lest 

He capture it, and sink it in the fjord, 

We'll use the other coffin as a ruse. 

Fill it with hay and stones, and nail its lid, 

And give it prominence upon the ship; 



ACT V 139 

The other we will hide beneath the deck, 
Thus safely we shall take him to his rest. 

Ingegerd 

A cunning scheme — 

ROREK 

Ah, Thore, thou art shrewd ! 

Thore 

Go men, and fill this one with stones and straw. 

{Servants exeunt with one coffin. Thorkeld and 
Grim take the other into the log-house.) 

{To Thorkeld.) 

Good man hast thou a shroud ? 

Thorkeld 

'Tis 'neath the lid. 

{All except Ingegerd and Sigvat go to the house; 
some enter, others look in through the open door.) 

Sigvat 

( To Ingegerd. ) 

Behold the hands that slew to service turned ! 



140 KING SAINT OLAF 

Ingegerd 
This is King Olaf s Coronation-day. 

SiGVAT 

And thou art crowned with him his rightful Queen ; 
For love must triumph, e'en as righteousness. 

Ingegerd 

My heart is heavy, yet I feel a joy, 
So pure as never I have known before. 

SiGVAT 

It is the joy which love's sweet triumph gives. 

Ingegerd 
Mean'st thou the triumph of love's sacrifice? 

SiGVAT 

Yes, without sacrifice there is no love. 

Ingegerd 
Without the sacrifice — to live and wait. 

SiGVAT 

To live for life's great duties faithfully. 



ACT V 141 

Ingegerd 

I will return to Russia, to tell 

Of Olaf s death to Magnus, and our tears 

Shall mingle like a mother's with her child's ; 

Then I will make him ready for his task. 

But Sigvat, whither wilt thou turn thy course? 

SiGVAT 

In Norway will I live and sing my lays. 

Ingegerd 

Kind hast thou been to me, my royal bard, 

Take this a token of my gratitude, — 

Yea, of our friendship through these many years. 

(She takes a bracelet from her arm and presents 
it to him.) 

Sigvat 

I cannot thank thee as I ought, my Queen, 
My heart is all too full to give it speech. 
Thou wilt permit me, see thee to thy ship, 
Where trusty seamen are awaiting thee. 

Ingegerd 

But first I must behold his blessed face. 

{The King's coffin is brought out from the house 
and placed in the middle of the stage. The servants 



142 KING SAINT OLAF 

also bring the other casket and set it down in the 
back-ground. Ingegerd kneels beside the coffin, and, 
weeping, embraces the King's face. A bright light 
shines about the coffin. All, except Sigvat, kneel.) 

SiGVAT 

This day a light divine begins to shine 
Upon our land, where darkness brooded long; 
This day King Olaf hath regained his throne, 
A throne and scepter, purchased with his blood ; 
To-day his reign begins and shall endure. 
As long as Norway is a Christian land; 
Nor is he monarch only, but a Saint, 
Who gave his life as martyr for the Christ. 
In death he found his glory and his life, 
In death he found his ancient heritage. 
Day of defeat? No, day of victory! 
Day of dark grief? No, rather day of joy! 
Go bury him where Norway shall bend knee. 
And worship God, and see a vision fair 
Of things to come, until the land is free 
From darkness, and its mountains glow with light 
Of God's eternal truth and golden love. 

( They carry the coffins down the hill in the back- 
ground. A peculiar light follows the procession. 
Sigvat, Ingegerd and Rorek stand looking after 
them.) 

Ingegerd 

Farewell, my Lord and King, until we meet 

In that fair realm where love's dream is complete ! 



ACT V 143 

How strange the web and woof of human life ! 

It is not in our pow'r to fashion it, 

But His alone who rules above man's strife. 

SiGVAT 

I hear sweet music 'mid the rustling trees, 
A sound as of clear church-bells from afar, 
Their tones are charged with harmony and peace, 
As if a soul hath found its Morning-star. 

Curtain 



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